The End of the Road for Mario Lemieux

The astonishing hockey career of Mario Lemieux is over. The man who goes down as perhaps the most complete and most dominant player in NHL history announced his retirement today.

Lemieux broke in with the Penguins in 1984. Over the next 13 years he won two Stanley Cups, six scoring championships and three Hart Trophies as the NHL's Most Valuable Player. For that stretch he was arguably the greatest individual force in league history, despite persistent health troubles which included a chronic back problem and a battle with Hodgkin's Disease.

After retiring in 1997 and being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the same year, Lemieux returned to the Penguins in the 2000-01 season. By this time he was also principal owner and CEO of the team, having rescued the Penguins from bankruptcy.

He also resumed his international career with Team Canada, serving as captain of championship teams at the 2002 Olympics and 2004 World Cup.

He played 26 games for Pirttsburgh this season before being sidelined with an irregular heartbeat, and retires at the age of 40.

Mario Lemieux Profile: The Stanley Cups, the dramatic goals, the struggles to stay healthy, the unexpected comeback, the salvation of hockey in Pittsburgh, plus much more.

Mario Lemieux Remembered: Quotes from Around the Hockey World