Presented is the key rookie card of "Super Mario," one of the most gifted players ever to lace up skates: a 1985 O-Pee-Chee #9 Mario Lemieux Rookie, graded NM-MT 8 by PSA. The Canadian O-Pee-Chee version of Lemieux's rookie card was printed in smaller quantities than its Topps counterpart. Collectors widely regard it as the more desirable issue, and it ranks among the most important hockey cards of the 1980s.

The obverse shows a young Lemieux in the black-and-gold of the Pittsburgh Penguins, wearing a Cooper helmet and gloves, with the Penguins logo at upper right and a gold "Mario Lemieux • C" nameplate along the bottom. The bilingual reverse details his selection as the first overall pick of the 1984 NHL Draft from the Laval Voisins and his 100-point rookie season. It also recalls that he scored his first NHL goal on his very first shift.

Lemieux won the Calder Trophy for that rookie campaign and went on to lead Pittsburgh to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992. He captured three Hart Trophies and six Art Ross Trophies and retired with 690 goals and 1,723 points. The Hockey Hall of Fame waived its waiting period to induct him in 1997.

This example displays excellent centering, bold color and a sharp image. The white borders are clean, and the corners and edges are in keeping with the NM-MT 8 grade. It is a premium example of a modern hockey cornerstone. Encapsulated by PSA (Cert. #81466646).