I Missed The Game

Wes Williams
Dec 26, 2000

"I missed the game and missed the challenge of competing. I am excited by the challenge of attempting a comeback. I look forward to the chance to get back on the ice with the players." - Quote by Mario Lemieux at a recent press conference. All the talk in the NHL has been the return of hockey great, Mario Lemieux.

Taking a look back at this All-Star's career is staggering. He was drafted by the Penguins #1 overall in June of 1984. Scored his first goal on his first shift against Boston on Oct. 11, 1984. His awards include the Calder trophy, the Lester B. Pearson, and the Hart Trophy. In July 1990 he had surgery on a herniated disk in his back. In January of 1993, he was diagnosed with the Nodular Lymphocytic form of Hodgkin's disease. He had his second back surgery in 3 years in July of 1993 to repair the herniated disk.

So will this player be all-star material? He says he will come back and be one of the best players in the league. That says a lot right there. That he is confident. But is he too confident? To me that sounds somewhat conceited to say having not played in several years. He thinks that a few weeks of training will get him back in shape. Granted he is one of the best players of all time, but there comes a time where you should just hang up the skates and say, "Goodbye," to the game of hockey. Obviously to some players, that just isn't possible.

Will this create a trend of hockey players coming back into the league? The Great One says no, but who knows? Maybe in a couple of years, if Mario excels, it will become apparent to retired players that it is possible to make a comeback and be successful. It may be possible for Wayne to take down the old #99 from the top of the stadium and dress out for just one more season.

What about Geoff Courtnall? Doctors said he couldn't play anymore, but with all these changes he may see fit to return as well. This could be potentially dangerous. Geoff should not come back due to recurring concussion problems and if he did, it could become detrimental to his safety.

Anyway with the talent of Lemieux and Jagr back in the lineup, the Penguins may be a legitimate contender for the cup. This is potentially a great experience for the rookies in the league. Playing against such Legends would be incredible for these youngsters.

Here are his stats for his last 5 seasons in the NHL:

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