Pittsburgh Steelers

A Look At The Pittsburgh Penguins

It came as no surprise that in 1966, Pittsburgh was awarded the expansion franchise by the National Hockey League. The group of investors seeking to get the team included some of America’s more influential players of industry. Some of the people involved were Art Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Mellon and Heinz families. And that was the beginning of hockey for fans of western Pennsylvania. Here we will take a look at some of the history of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Most expansion teams in any sport tend to have a rocky opening season. This was not the case for the Penguins. They ended the 1967-68 season with just seven fewer wins than losses. Not great, but not bad for a new team. They were also able to pull off an upset over one of the NHL’s “original Six”. In an October 1967 game, they defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2.

1969 brought hope to Penguin fans. The team was able to acquire a rookie named Michel Briere. He scored more goals than any other rookie that year. The club took advantage of his talent and made it to the Western semi-finals. Ultimately, Pitt lost to the St. Louis Blues 4 games to 2 but the fans could see that they had reason to believe in the future of their team.

Not long after that playoff run, the hockey world was stunned to learn that the amazing rookie, Briere, had been in a serious car accident in Quebec. He suffered major head injuries, remained in a coma for a year and ultimately died.

Moving ahead to 1984, we can talk about something a little less sad. Actually, for the Pens, it was a lot less sad. In the draft that year, they had the number one pick and selected a player who would go on to be considered one of the best ever to play. This good fortune did not come without controversy, as other NHL teams accused the Penguins of purposely losing games at the end of the season so they would be assured that key draft selection.

True or not, the fact is that the team drafted Mario Lemieux. The list of all he accomplished is seemingly endless. He led his team to Stanly Cup victories in both 1991 and 1992. He has won dozens of NHL awards and trophies. In 1988 he accomplished something amazing that had never been done before, or since. In a single game against the New Jersey Devils, he scored all five ways possible: regular strength, shorthanded, penalty shot, empty net and power play.

Just as rival fans (and teams) breathed a sigh of relief following Lemieux’ retirement, another Penguin superstar burst on to the scene. His name was Sidney Crosby. He was the youngest team captain, at age twenty-one, to lead his team to the Cup. At this time though his awards were still at least a dozen shy of Lemieux’.

Nowadays, the Penguins are force in the NHL. They are always perched at or near the top of the standings. And, oh yeah, they still have Crosby lacing them up and he is still is a game-changer.

Bobbie Barton is a fitness trainer She likes SportsFanTreasures.com and recommends you check out their info on Calgary Flames Watch, Pittsburgh Penguins Watch and Phoenix Coyotes Blanket

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