Mario Lemieux Quotes

I'm only 35, and I felt that the time was right to try to come back and have a chance for him to see me play.

We feel that, with Sidney, we have a great opportunity over the next few years to put a great team on the ice. We're prepared to lose some money along the way. Eventually we're going to need some help.

Red wine is a great accompaniment to meat.

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.

Since the beginning, I always loved the game. When you grow up in Montreal, one day you want to be a professional hockey player. When I was six or seven, I knew that was what I wanted.

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

When someone screams at me to hurry up, I slow down.

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.

Of course, my family has been a big reason for me to come back, especially my son who loves the game of hockey - he was a big reason for me coming back.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

I think people in Montreal smoke a lot, and I used to smoke when I was 17-18, and just picked it up when I was playing juniors. But I think I stopped when I was 22, which was a big decision in my life.

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.

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.

Play without fear, and you will be successful,

One thing I hate is people screaming at me. If you want me to do something, talk to me.

We, as a league, must do a better job of protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of our players.

This is really a new NHL and it's built on speed and young guys.

I think we need to do as much as we can to give back to these young kids growing up. I think we've done a pretty decent job so far.

I didn't speak English until I came to Pittsburgh.

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.

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

This arena is a special place. Everybody loves it. To be able to stand behind the bench and be a part of a great tournament for the '96 Elite is fun. The kids, having a chance to play in the building where the Penguins play, it's a special feeling for them.

A month before the season I stop putting ketchup on my french fries.

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.