Quotes from Joe Thornton

I've been obsessed with hockey ever since I can remember.

Hockey players are a different breed.

I've lived and breathed hockey my entire life.

It's fun playing against world-class players. It makes you compete harder.

Every line expects to do big things when they're on the ice.

I've never been a guy who is really wound up and out to prove people wrong.

Really, who thinks of living in California as a Canadian kid? You just don't. Now when I go home to Canada to play a game, I am like, 'This weather here sucks.' I used to love it as a kid, but now it's like, 'Wow let's get back to California now.'

I care deeply for Patty. He has the biggest heart and an infectious laugh when he laughs. He has a great sense of humor. You just hope that you're allowed to have a friend like Patrick Marleau because it really is special.

I don't have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any of that stuff.

I think to get first in your division you've got to have a lot of depth, a lot of character, a lot of skill, a lot of competitiveness.

I feel the sky is the limit for myself.

You get a rib injury and it hurts to breathe. If you sneeze, you think you're gonna die.

I've been lucky to play with so many great players, to be coached by so many great coaches and lucky enough to be healthy enough for so many years.

I thought I was going to be a Bruin my whole career, so it was really tough to leave. But you just have to pick up and move on, and I've done that.

Well, I hate needles and stitches. I'm the biggest wimp when it comes to that stuff. Can't stand it. That little needle is the worst feeling for me. I hate it.

Play with no fear. Just enjoy the game.

As a line I think you have to work as a three-man unit.

I've always been really good at staying in the moment my whole career. I just stay within myself.

In a day when you can kind of choose where you can play, Northern California is the place for me.

It's one of those things that when you hear about the games played by Gordie Howe, you think it's one of those things that's untouchable. He was part of the League for so long. You wouldn't have dreamed of anybody touching that milestone. So when you're beating one of Mr. Hockey's records, it's impressive.

I remember being one of the younger guys and one of the older guys would say, 'Hey, boys, you got to enjoy the moment, enjoy the ups and downs, because it goes by real fast.' You never really register that. You're just in the moment.

Just the city of Stockholm was really, really nice. Walking around the city was pretty cool.

Whenever you put on the Canadian jersey, it's an honor and it would be a huge honor to represent us at the Olympics.

I don't think there's any less on the line in the Olympics than there is any other time.