Mario Lemeiux's Quotes

Every day is a great day for hockey.

A month before the season, I don't order fries with my club sandwich.

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

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

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

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

If I could play this game at a decent level, I'd come back and play.

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

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

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

When it comes to hockey, it's been in my blood since I was 3 or 4 years old. I love coaching the kids, especially at that level.

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.

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.

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.