Mario Lemieux Quotes & Sayings

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

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

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

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

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. — Mario Lemieux

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

Every day is a great day for hockey. — Mario Lemieux

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

Everybody I talked to - from my friends to my family and some of the players - really gave me a lot of support from the start. And that certainly made me feel good about trying to come back and be one of the best again. — Mario Lemieux

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. — Mario Lemieux

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

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. — Mario Lemieux

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

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. — Mario Lemieux

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. — Mario Lemieux

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. — Mario Lemieux

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

I can no longer play at a level I was accustomed to in the past. — Mario Lemieux

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. — Mario Lemieux

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. — Mario Lemieux

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

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. — Mario Lemieux

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

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. — Mario Lemieux

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. — Mario Lemieux

Oh, I did stop smoking a long time ago. — Mario Lemieux

It's up to the community now to decide if they want to keep this team. — Mario Lemieux

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

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

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

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

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. — Mario Lemieux

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. — Mario Lemieux

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. — Mario Lemieux

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. — Mario Lemieux

Red wine is a great accompaniment to meat. — Mario Lemieux

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

I didn't speak English until I came to Pittsburgh. — Mario Lemieux

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. — Mario Lemieux

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

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

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. — Mario Lemieux

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. — Mario Lemieux

Play without fear, and you will be successful, — Mario Lemieux

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. — Mario Lemieux