Mario Lemieux has been recognized as the top player in the history of major junior hockey by the Canadian Hockey League, which recently revealed its all-time Top 50 list. The former standout of the Laval Voisins surpassed other notable players such as Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Oceanic), Wayne Gretzky (Peterborough Petes/Soo Greyhounds), Connor McDavid (Erie Otters), and Mike Bossy (Laval National) in the rankings.
According to the CHL, the list was compiled through a combination of media and fan voting as part of the league’s 50th-anniversary festivities. Lemieux expressed his gratitude for being included in this esteemed group of players, attributing his time at Laval and in the QMJHL as instrumental in shaping his successful NHL career. He acknowledged the significant role the CHL has played in the development of Canadian hockey and its players over the years.
During the 1983-84 season, Lemieux set CHL single-season records with 133 goals and 282 points, and he also achieved a remarkable 61-game point streak while playing for Laval. His contributions were pivotal in helping Laval secure the 1984 QMJHL championship, where he tallied 52 points in just 14 playoff games.
CHL President Dan MacKenzie praised Lemieux’s exceptional performance with the Laval Voisins, highlighting it as a significant milestone in CHL history. Following his junior hockey success, Lemieux went on to win two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and concluded his NHL career with 1,723 points in 915 regular-season games. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997, receiving a waiver on the mandatory three-year waiting period. Additionally, Lemieux made a comeback to the NHL in 2000, playing five more seasons with the Penguins and leading Team Canada to Olympic gold in 2002.