Mario Lemieux Quotes

I think the game has opened up, and that's why I decided to come back and try to be a part of it.

It was great to play with some of my old linemates.

Once I'm at the arena with the guys in the dressing room, and in the bus, and on the plane, I'm a player. And I sit in the back with the players and I play cards and try to take their money.

When I'm able to see the ice ahead of time when I get the puck, I'm able to make some pretty good plays.

He's only 4 years old, so I don't think he realized, you know, that I played so many years. Of course, we watch tapes here from the Stanley Cup years, but I don't think he realized how many years I played.

My son, he is the reason I got involved. It's been a joy to be around him and teach him the stuff that I know, and to the other kids as well. When he started playing I wanted to be involved in his hockey career. It's a lot of fun for both of us.

Certainly we're not satisfied with just winning games. We've been playing some pretty good hockey, but we think we can play much better.

The first few games that we played against some of the teams, the young guys, you know, want a stick sign or photo sign, and I think that they respect what I have achieved throughout my career.

Oh, I did stop smoking a long time ago.

Since the beginning, I always loved the game.

Depending on how we start the season, I can play center or wing... It doesn't matter to me.

Red wine is a great accompaniment to meat.

I have two main reasons for retiring. The first is I can no longer play at a level I was accustomed to in the past. That has been very, very frustrating to me throughout this past year. The second one is realizing my health, along with my family, is the most important thing in the world.

I've gone through back surgery a couple times, and of course, my radiation treatments for six weeks got me to the point where I was not able to play at the level that I was accustomed to.

Every day is a great day for hockey.

Well, I think just a desire to come back and be a part of the game again.

I don't try to match wine with food, I just drink what I like. And I think a lot of people are going towards that now, which never used to be in the past.

One thing I hate is people screaming at me. If you want me to do something, talk to me. When someone screams at me to hurry up, I slow down.

I didn't like the way the game was being played.

My body's feeling it a little bit. But one good thing, my back is in good shape, and that's my main concern. I know that my legs are going to take awhile to get back to where I was a few years ago, but as long as my back is solid, I feel that I can play many years.

For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a professional hockey player.

I don't order fries with my club sandwich.

I think that with a lot of hard work and dedication, I feel that I could be the best in the world. I'm still only 35 years old... I have a fresh start physically and mentally, and I feel that I can achieve my goal to be the best again.

I'm sorry I didn't feel any better or play any better, but that's what happens at the end of careers.

Hockey is a tough, physical game, and it always should be.

All I can say to the young players is, enjoy every moment of it. Just enjoy every moment of it. Your career goes by very quickly.

Play without fear, and you will be successful.

I think we have to show some pride in the jersey that we are wearing, and can’t quit.

I think the lottery changed everything for us. Once we got Sidney, it helped us turn this franchise around overnight.

As I've said, in 2007, we're free to go and we'll just have to do what's best for the business.