Hockey Player

Hockey is a unique sport in the sense that you need each and every guy helping each other and pulling in the same direction to be successful.

When I was 5 and playing against 11-year-olds, who were bigger, stronger, faster, I just had to figure out a way to play with them.

I couldn't beat people with my strength; I don't have a hard shot; I'm not the quickest skater in the league. My eyes and my mind have to do most of the work.

I'm very proud of our NHL players. I think they all handle themselves extremely well and they all work really hard.

A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.

The biggest difference between L.A. and Edmonton was that instead of people looking at me I was looking at them.

It's an honour and a thrill and a privilege just to play in the NHL.

I get a feeling about where a teammate is going to be. A lot of times, I can turn and pass without even looking.

By no means could I play at the level of these kids who play in the NHL now but as 50-year-olds go, I feel really good and I feel blessed that I'm still healthy.

Listen, everything I have in my life is because of the NHL and because of hockey, and I love the game and I loved every minute of being a player, I loved coaching, I loved being involved in the NHL.

I don't like my hockey sticks touching other sticks, and I don't like them crossing one another, and I kind of have them hidden in the corner. I put baby powder on the ends. I think it's essentially a matter of taking care of what takes care of you.

I just like to keep my money in the bank; I'm not a big risk-taker. I don't know anything about the stock market... I stay away from things I don't know anything about.

The highest compliment that you can pay me is to say that I work hard every day, that I never dog it.

Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy.

Growing up, I was always the small guy.

I wasn't naturally gifted in terms of size and speed; everything I did in hockey I worked for, and that's the way I'll be as a coach.

My kids are no different than anyone else's - they tend to disagree with everything I say!

And people who know me would tell you that away from hockey I'm really not that competitive.

I knew at a young age, whether I was playing baseball or hockey or lacrosse, that my teammates were counting on me, whether it be to strike the last batter out in a baseball game or score a big goal in a hockey game.

Look at guys like Larry Bird and George Brett and John McEnroe; that's what they did in their careers. They all wanted to be the guy under the microscope late in the game or late in the match. So you just take on that know-how that that's part of your responsibility, and you learn that's what makes it exciting. That's what makes it fun!