The Penguins drafted a franchise-changing player with the first overall pick in 1984.
41 years ago today, the Pittsburgh Penguins made a franchise-altering selection when they drafted Mario Lemieux with the first overall pick in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft.
The year was 1984. The Penguins had the first overall pick for the first time in franchise history since entering the NHL as an expansion team in 1967.
With that first pick, the Penguins changed their fate forever when they selected Mario Lemieux, who had lit up the QMJHL with 562 points in three years.
Super Mario burst onto the scene in the NHL, winning three Hart trophies as the league’s MVP, six scoring titles, and two Stanley Cup championships among numerous other accomplishments and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
During his legendary career, Lemieux beat cancer, retired, came out of retirement, retired again, and then bought the team, which was at risk of folding and leaving town.
After his playing career was over, Lemieux had his named etched onto the Stanley Cup three additional times as owner of the team.