HALIFAX — The Order of Hockey in Canada is welcoming Hall of Fame forward Mario Lemieux and women’s hockey star Geraldine Heaney into its ranks.
Lemieux had 1,723 points in 915 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and his career average of 1.883 points per game is second only to Wayne Gretzky.
He led Canada to a gold medal at the 2002 Olympics and titles at the 1987 Canada Cup and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
Heaney helped Canada win the 2002 Olympic gold medal and seven world championships in women’s hockey.
The players were joined by two executives – long-time Canadian Hockey League president David Branch and Bob Nicholson, the former CEO and President of Hockey Canada and the current CEO and vice-chair of the Edmonton Oilers.
“Between David, Geraldine, Mario and Bob, they have impacted millions of people in Canada and around the world through their work within the sport of hockey,” Tom Renney, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada said.
“I congratulate them all, on behalf of my colleagues at Hockey Canada and the Order of Hockey in Canada selection committee, as well as our board of directors, volunteers, and the 750,000 registered members from coast-to-coast-to-coast, on this well-deserved recognition.”
Canada won 44 gold medals in international competition during Nicholson’s tenure at Hockey Canada.