PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was one of the shames with the Fenway Sports Group ownership of the Pens, the disappearance of Pittsburgh icon Mario Lemieux. Will the Hall of Famer return? If not as an owner, at least in some type of role with the team is lead in multiple ways.
“Mario and I have spent some time together,” said new team Governor (term used for the lead of the ownership group) Geoff Hoffmann.
Good sign because that rarely, if ever, was said about Lemieux and the Fenway Sports Group. You’ve probably heard rumors of why, but just a disconnect that the Hoffmann Group is aware of.
“He’s been as good as advertised,” Geoff Hoffmann said. “Just a great, great guy.”
Sidney Crosby passed Lemieux as the Pens all-time leader in points and total Stanley Cups as a player, but it was Lemieux who helped keep the team in town. It’s not that Lemieux wants to be a part of the day-to-day operations, but can there be something? At least an open invitation for whenever he wants to appear at a game or any team function besides his charity fantasy camp.
“I’m really hopeful that he will be a part of this, whatever way, shape or form makes sense for him,” Geoff Hoffmann said. “We would love for him to be a part of it.”
While it’s the first time for the new owners to run an NHL team, they’ve been in minor league hockey for years and seem to have an idea of NHL and Lemieux history.
“We know what he means to hockey,” Geoff Hoffmann said. “We know what he means to the Penguins. We know what he means to the city. We know what he means to the league, the NHL.”
“I think everybody would embrace him with open arms, especially the three of us up here.”
Geoff Hoffmann said referring to himself, his father and brother.
The Pens are just better with Lemieux around.
Is there a potential role for the team legend with the Hoffman Group
Is there a potential role for the team legend with the Hoffman Group
