Pittsburgh Penguins Explained: Traditions, Logo & History

How did Mario Lemieux save the Penguins twice?

Mario Lemieux saved the Penguins twice.

First on the ice: drafted in 1984 when the franchise was struggling on and off the ice, he became a superstar who lifted the team to its first two Cups. Then in the boardroom: in 1999, with the club in bankruptcy and at risk of leaving Pittsburgh, Lemieux led an ownership group that bought the team — converting deferred salary he was owed into equity. He remains the only person to win a Stanley Cup as both a player and an owner of the same team.

How good has the Crosby-Malkin era been?

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have formed one of the greatest one-two centers in NHL history.

Since Crosby's arrival in 2005 and Malkin's in 2006, the pair have led the Penguins to three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017), including back-to-back titles — the first repeat champion in nearly two decades. Both are certain Hall of Famers, and their sustained excellence made Pittsburgh a perennial contender for over 15 years.

When did the Penguins join the NHL?

The Penguins were founded in 1967 as part of the NHL's 'Great Expansion,' which doubled the league from six teams to twelve.

The name was chosen through a fan contest, playing on the team's home at the Civic Arena, which was nicknamed 'The Igloo' for its distinctive domed roof. After decades of ups and downs, the franchise became one of the NHL's premier organizations.

Why was the Civic Arena called 'The Igloo'?

The Penguins' original home, the Civic Arena (later Mellon Arena), was nicknamed 'The Igloo' for its distinctive domed, retractable stainless-steel roof — the first of its kind on a major arena.

The nickname paired naturally with the team's Penguins identity. The team played there from 1967 until moving to PPG Paints Arena in 2010.

What was Sidney Crosby's 'Golden Goal'?

Though scored for Canada rather than the Penguins, Sidney Crosby's overtime goal to win the 2010 Winter Olympics gold medal on home soil in Vancouver is one of the most famous moments of his career.

It cemented his status as the face of hockey and remains an iconic moment for Penguins fans who watched their captain deliver on the sport's biggest international stage.

How rare were the Penguins' back-to-back Cups?

When the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017, they became the first team to repeat as champions in nearly two decades, since the Red Wings in 1997–98.

In the modern salary-cap era, which is designed to promote parity, repeating is extraordinarily difficult — making the Crosby-Malkin Penguins' feat one of the signature accomplishments of their dynasty.

Pittsburgh Penguins Records, Titles & Milestones

How many Stanley Cups have the Pittsburgh Penguins won?

The Pittsburgh Penguins have won 5 Stanley Cups (1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, 2017).

Do the Pittsburgh Penguins retire jersey numbers?

The Penguins retire numbers for their franchise legends, hanging banners at PPG Paints Arena.

Ring of Honor (2 members)

The Greatest Pittsburgh Penguins Players of All Time

Who is the greatest Pittsburgh Penguins player of all time?

By the measure of championships, individual honors, and lasting impact, Mario Lemieux tops most all-time Pittsburgh Penguins rankings. The full top 5 follows.

1. Mario Lemieux C \u00b7 1984–1997, 2000–2006

   'Super Mario' is one of the most talented players in hockey history and the savior of the franchise. Despite battling cancer and serious back problems, he won two Cups, two Conn Smythes, three Hart Trophies, and six scoring titles. He later bought the team out of bankruptcy, making him the greatest figure in Penguins history on and off the ice.

2. Sidney Crosby C \u00b7 2005–present

   'Sid the Kid' has been the face of the NHL for two decades. A three-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Conn Smythe winner, two-time Hart Trophy recipient, and Olympic golden-goal scorer, Crosby is one of the greatest two-way centers ever and the leader of the modern Penguins dynasty.

3. Evgeni Malkin C \u00b7 2006–present

   A dynamic, powerful scorer, 'Geno' won the 2009 Conn Smythe, a scoring title, and the 2012 Hart Trophy while playing alongside Crosby. His playoff heroics were central to all three modern Cups. One of the most gifted offensive players of his generation.

4. Jaromir Jagr RW \u00b7 1990–2001

   A flamboyant, mulleted superstar who won two Cups alongside Lemieux as a young player, then blossomed into a five-time scoring champion in Pittsburgh. One of the most skilled and durable wingers in NHL history, and a fan favorite during the first golden era.

5. Marc-Andre Fleury G \u00b7 2003–2017

   The No. 1 overall pick in 2003, 'Flower' became the franchise's all-time wins leader and backstopped three Stanley Cup teams. Beloved for his athletic, acrobatic style and joyful personality, he was one of the most popular players ever to wear a Penguins sweater.