Austin Lemieux Dreams Of Playing For Pittsburgh Penguins
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Austin Lemieux is hoping to follow in his father's footsteps.
"Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins is a dream of mine," said Austin Lemieux, son of Penguins legend, Mario Lemeiux.
That dream could come true. Austin was drafted by the Omaha Lancers, a junior league team, and is now starring on their top line.
"Just seeing the NHL lifestyle, I have always dreamed of that as a little kid," said Austin.
KDKA-TV's Rich Walsh: "Who was your favorite player growing up? Your dad?"
Austin: "Probably, yeah, my dad."
Most Penguins fans remember Austin watching his dad make his final comeback.
Walsh: "How cool was that, to watch your dad play? He said he came back for you."
Austin: "Yep that's right. I don't really remember a lot, but going back and watching how good he was, it amazes me."
Mario amazed everyone when he was on the ice. Austin said that memorable play against the Minnesota North Stars, when his dad split two defenders to score, is his favorite.
Walsh: "How much did it help, being Mario's son?"
"He definitely showed me a lot along the way, but I just try to be patient and learn everything I can from him and if I have any questions, I'll ask him and he definitely tells me."
He learned from the best, but being Super Mario's son, it comes with some expectations and some pressures.
"I try not to have the pressure of my dad. He was the best player in the world, so I just try to play my own game and try to get better every day," said Austin.
But Austin says he doesn't see Mario like hockey fans in Pittsburgh do.
"I look to him as my father, and second part that he is the best player that ever lived," said Austin.
Austin talks to his dad just about every night. Especially after games, he takes pointers while trying to live up to the Lemieux name.
"[There are] ups and it downs. When you're not doing well, it's kind of down. When you are, it's showing people you can play the game just like my father did," said Austin.
Austin also says he has a close relationship with Sidney Crosby, who he looks up to like an older brother.
"Yeah, older brother. He lived with us for eight years, so we became pretty close and same thing with him. If I have any questions, I'll reach out to him and he is a great help to me," said Austin.
Then, there's that viral video of a young Austin, who remembers getting a stick-handling lesson from Crosby during a Pens practice. It has nearly one-million hits on YouTube.
"I was just trying to get the puck off him, and he just made me look silly," Austin says.
Walsh asked Austin if there's any pressure living up to his dad and the man who is like his brother.
"Yeah, I just try not to look at it this way. I just try to play my own way and just get better everyday," he says.
Austin is still a few years away from his ultimate goal of making the NHL and he hopes he's wearing the black and gold.
"Hopefully, I get to play with Sid one day and see what that would be like, and also playing for the team my father grew up in and owns," he said.
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