Mario Lemieux won his third Hart Trophy as the National Hockey League’s Most Valuable Player during the 1995-96 season becoming just the seventh player in league history to win the award three times. He led the league in scoring with 161 points in 70 games to capture his fifth Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading scorer becoming one of only four players to win the scoring title five-or-more times. He led the league in goals (69) for the third time in his career, his fifth season with 50-or-more goals. Lemieux tied for the league lead in assists (92) with teammate Ron Francis. He led the league with 2.30 points per game played, 0.99 goals per game played, 31 power play goals becoming the only player in NHL history with two seasons of 30+ power play goals, 48 power play assists, 79 power play points and 8 short-handed goals. Lemieux tied for the league lead with nine shorthanded points.
From November 18, 1995 vs. Washington through December 22, 1995 vs. Montreal, Lemieux went on a season-high 16 game scoring streak amassing 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) including a 4-goal game on November 30, 1995 at Boston. He had 43 multiple point games during the 1995-96 season including two 7-point games (Nov. 1, 1995 vs. Tampa Bay, Mar. 26, 1996 vs. St. Louis) and four 5-point games including a one goal, four assist effort on November 10, 1995 at San Jose. Lemieux recorded a point in 63 of his 70 games played (90.0%) and was on the ice for 103 of the team's 109 power play goals (94.5%). He recorded six hat tricks during the 1995-96 season including hat tricks in back-to-back games on Oct.26, 1995 at NY Islanders and Oct. 28, 1995 at New Jersey.
This Set 1 jersey was worn by Mario Lemieux during 17 road games during the 1995-96 season and was put into circulation after he recorded his 500th goal on Oct. 26, 1995 at NY Islanders. He amassed 29 points including 12 goals and 17 assists while wearing this jersey. The jersey has been photo and/or video matched to numerous Penguins road games from Oct. 28, 1995 vs. New Jersey through Feb. 21, 1996 at Buffalo.
The jersey was acquired by PenguinsChronicles.com from Heritage Auctions on February 28, 2023. It was originally auctioned by Heritage Auctions on November 5, 2010. The MeiGray Group issued a Letter of Authenticity for the jersey on December 2, 2015. The jersey is registered into the MeiGrade System as #153000.