Pens schedule(PittsburghPenguins- Schedule)

MARIO LEMIEUX
Co-Owner/Chairman

Mario Lemieux always will be remembered for the magic he created on the ice, but one of the crowning achievements of his remarkable career came this season in his role as a businessman — the opening of CONSOL Energy Center, home of the Penguins and Pittsburgh’s new multi-purpose entertainment venue.

The new arena puts the exclamation point on Lemieux’s lengthy quest to ensure the Penguins’ long-term future in Pittsburgh and provides his adopted hometown with a spectacular state-of-the-art center for professional and collegiate sports, concerts, family shows and other events.

“There were so many people who contributed to this project, including local and state political leaders, local business leaders, NHL officials and, of course, our fans,” said Penguins CEO David Morehouse, “but I think it’s safe to say that none of this happens without Mario Lemieux.”

Even before the reality of CONSOL Energy Center, Lemieux and co-owner Ron Burkle had turned the Penguins into a premier NHL franchise, winning praise for off-ice business accomplishments in addition to creating a positive, player-friendly atmosphere on the hockey side. The Penguins have sold out a team-record 166 straight games, sold out every suite for three straight seasons and established records for local television ratings, merchandise sales and website hits.

Over the summer, the Penguins were named the No. 1 team in professional sports in “Fan Relations” by ESPN The Magazine.

Oh, and they won the Stanley Cup in 2009 — the third Cup of Lemieux’s career but his first as an owner.

Lemieux was one of the greatest players in NHL history from 1984-97 and 2000-06, winning six league scoring titles, three MVPs trophies and two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP, in addition to the two Cups.

An immaculately gifted 6-foot-4 centerman, he dominated play for parts of three decades despite a series of medical setbacks, including multiple back surgeries and a battle with Hodgkin’s disease. He retired in 2006 as the No. 7 all-time scorer in NHL history with 1,723 points. He also ranked eighth all-time in goals (690) and 10th in assists (1,033).

In addition to his legendary hockey accomplishments, he continues to oversee the Mario Lemieux Foundation for cancer research and neo-natal research and hosts its celebrity golf tournament, which has raised more than $8 million for charity.  More information is available at mariolemieux.org.  

Mario, his wife Nathalie and their four children live in Sewickley.

DAVID MOREHOUSE
CEO/President

Pittsburgh native David Morehouse was named CEO of the Penguins in September and leads the team into an exciting new era at CONSOL Energy Center.

Morehouse had served as a team president since 2007, overseeing ticket sales, marketing, corporate sales, communications and brand development, as well as representing the team in corporate relations and governmental affairs.

Under his leadership the Penguins have become one of the top organizations in professional sports — ranked No. 1 in “Fan Relations” and No. 5 overall as a franchise among 122 pro teams in North America by ESPN The Magazine.

As team president, Morehouse implemented a brand strategy that featured a new commitment to marketing, fan interaction and community outreach, as well as a targeted focus on the team’s young fan demographic. Under his leadership, the Penguins have sold out every game for three straight seasons – the sellout streak was at 166 games entering  2010-11– while leading all U.S.-based NHL teams in local TV ratings last season and setting new standards for website traffic and social media.

Morehouse joined the Penguins in December, 2004 as Senior Consultant on the new arena project, following a career in national politics that included stints at the White House, Pentagon and on Capitol Hill, as well as key roles in two Presidential campaigns.

He was Senior Advisor for the John Kerry for President campaign in 2004, traveling on the campaign plane and serving as Senator Kerry’s traveling chief of staff. He worked in the Clinton-Gore White House in the 1990s, and was Senior Counselor and Trip Director for Vice President Al Gore from 1999-2001.

Morehouse grew up in the Beechview section on Pittsburgh. He attended the Community College of Allegheny County and Duquesne University, and received a master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

He and his wife, Vanessa, have three children and live in Bell Acres.