Good evening everyone. It is with deep emotion that I come before you today to announce my retirement from the sport that I love. For 17 years, I have been fortunate enough to play the game of hockey at the highest level and I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given and the support I have received. I have had the privilege of playing with some of the greatest players in the history of the game and I am proud of the accomplishments we achieved together. I would like to thank my parents, my family, my friends, my teammates, the Pittsburgh Penguins organization and, most of all, the fans who have supported me throughout my career. I will always cherish the memories of the Stanley Cups, the individual awards, the Olympic gold medal and all of the other accomplishments. But today is about the future. I am confident that the Penguins are well-positioned for continued success and I am excited to see what the future holds for the organization. I am also excited about what the future holds for me. I have a number of business interests, charities and other endeavors that I am looking forward to pursuing. Finally, I want to thank everyone again for their unwavering support throughout my career. Hockey has been my life for so long and I am thankful for the opportunity to have been able to play in the National Hockey League. Thank you. Lemieux’s leadership was key to the Penguins’ success during his career. He led the Penguins to two Stanley Cup championships and several other playoff appearances. He also won several individual awards, including three Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. Mario Lemieux was an inspirational leader both on and off the ice. His leadership skills are an example for all aspiring hockey players, and his legacy in the NHL is one that will never be forgotten.
