Mario Lemieux' Magical Return to Hockey

Feb. 3 -- It's shaping up to be one of the greatest comebacks in sports: after over three years of retirement, hockey superstar Mario Lemieux is back on the ice and at the top of his game.

Five weeks into his comeback, the 35-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins center has nabbed 16 goals and 16 assists in just 16 games, and once again has his eye on the league scoring title.

But number 66's route back to the top hasn't been easy, and he faced plenty of doubters along the way.

MVP Battled Injuries, Cancer

During his 13 years with the Penguins, "Super Mario" logged three Most Valuable Player titles, two Stanley Cup championships, and six scoring titles.

But he also was sidelined twice during his career with back problems so severe the trainer had to lace up his skates, and again during a bout with Hodgkins disease, a form of cancer.

When he returned to the ice last Dec. 27, skeptics asked, "Will his legs stand up in this grueling sport? Will his wrists have the same snap?"

But the hall of famer says he wasn't worried.

"I had a lot of confidence in myself that I could come back and play well," says Lemieux.

The first sign came during his first minute back on the ice, when Super Mario picked up an assist.

In the second period he scored a goal, then added another assist to lead his team to victory.

"It was a great night to go out and win a big game the way we did," he remarked.

Having overcome serious injury and cancer, Lemieux gets as much respect for his courage and determination as his raw talent.

"Even during the radiation, I was thinking of coming back and trying to regain the lead for the scoring title," he says.

But in 1997, after 13 years with the Penguins, Lemieux retired, saying he was worn out and that he didn't like all the dirty play.

From Scorer to OwnerThen in 1999, he became a hero to hockey fans off the ice. With the Penguins franchise facing bankruptcy, Lemieux came up with plan to keep the team in Pittsurgh: He bought it.