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Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ (; ; born October 5, 1965 ) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and co-owner of the National Hockey League's ( NHL ) Pittsburgh Penguins and the American Hockey League's ( AHL ) Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins.

He is widely acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time.

He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL between 1984 and 2006.

A gifted playmaker and fast skater despite his large size, Lemieux often beat defensemen with fakes and dekes.

He is currently the Penguins ' principal owner and chairman of the board, having bought the team out of bankruptcy in 1999.

He is the only person ever to win the Stanley Cup as both a player and an owner .< ref >