Mario Lemieux captured the Hart Trophy as the National Hockey League’s Most Valuable Player and won the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading scorer with 168 points in 77 games during the 1987-88 season. He led the league in goals (70) becoming just the fourth player in NHL history to score 70 in a single season. Lemieux ranked second in the NHL with 98 assists. He led the league with 0.91 goals per game played, 38 even strength goals, 58 power play assists, 80 power play points, 10 short-handed goals, 14 short-handed points, and 382 shots on goal. Lemieux tied for the league lead with two overtime goals. His 22 power play goals ranked third in the NHL.
From January 1, 1988 at Washington through February 2, 1988 vs. Washington, Lemieux amassed 37 points (19g, 18a) in 17 games – the NHL’s third longest scoring streak of the 1987-88 season. He had 50 multiple point games including a six point effort on February 13, 1988 at Los Angeles and four five point games (Oct. 15, 1987 vs. NY Rangers, Dec. 11, 1987 vs. NY Islanders, Mar. 25, 1988 vs. Montreal and Mar. 27, 1988 at Quebec). Lemieux recorded at least one point in 66 of his 77 games played (85.7%). Lemieux led the Penguins with seven game winning goals and a +23 plus/minus rating.
This Set 1 jersey was worn by Mario Lemieux during the first 28 home games that he played during the 1987-88 season as he amassed 60 points including 31 goals and 29 assists. He donned the Captain’s “C” for the Pittsburgh Penguins for the very first time (Dec. 5, 1987 vs. Vancouver), notched his 400th National Hockey League point (Dec. 11, 1987 vs. NY Islanders – an assist on Rod Buskas’ second period goal) and scored his 50th goal of the 1987-88 season (Feb. 2, 1988 vs. Washington) while wearing this jersey. The jersey has been photo and/or video matched to numerous Penguins home games from Oct. 13, 1988 vs. Buffalo through Feb. 4, 1988 vs. Minnesota.
The jersey was acquired by PenguinsChronicles.com from Milt Byron in a private sale on May 14, 2023. The jersey was part of the Tom Nathan collection that was offered for sale after Mr. Nathan passed away in 2023. The jersey was accompanied by the original payment correspondence by Mr. Nathan and Ed Neisner the then Equipment Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Mr. Neisner also provided a Letter of Authenticity on Pittsburgh Penguins letterhead dated August 27, 1988. In addition, the jersey is accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from Milt Byron of Byron's Hockeyland.