Quotes from Jarome Iginla

I want to be shooter, be competitive, go to the net, so it has changed, but it hasn't changed that much. It's more skating than it used to be for sure.

When I was younger, to be honest, watching Bo Jackson, I dreamed of playing both sports. But as I got older, the opportunities were much better in hockey than baseball.

I started playing for the Flames at 19 but even in minor hockey I remember traveling to Calgary for tournaments, from St. Albert, and I imagined playing in the Saddledome.

Growing up, I played hockey because I loved playing it. I didn't view myself in minor hockey as a Black hockey player, but I was also aware that I was.

My mom's actually a Buddhist. My dad's a Christian and he was a Muslim, but he converted to Christianity.

I started in Grade 2. I went with my aunt and her boyfriend to an arena, an outdoor rink which was a block away from my grandparents. My grandpa came from Oregon. He had coached his son, my uncle, in hockey, and he was happy to get me involved in it.

There was definitely no time in grades 11 and 12 to do any other sports. That was one downside; I really enjoyed playing other sports.

My grandfather was a big sports fan and so was my mom.

I haven't been to Nigeria, but my dad and I have talked about going. I have a grandma over there who's been here.

I've been fortunate enough to have a lot of neat experiences, Olympics and everything, getting to the Stanley Cup Finals was really cool, but to actually make the NHL was just something I don't think I or my family will ever forget.

I've always dreamt of being on a Stanley Cup-winning team. That always stayed with me.

Music was a big part of my upbringing. My mum and my grandma are very passionate about music.

Winning that gold medal at the Olympics is something I'll never forget.

I dreamed of being an NHLer the first day I played. Sometimes the other kids would say there are not many black players in the N.H.L. So I really followed as many black players as I could.

I grew up in a city just outside of Edmonton, St. Albert. So I watched NHL games with my grandpa. I watched a lot of games, back then it was called the Smythe Division, and it was just Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Winnipeg.

As a player, I do love playing Edmonton and Vancouver, those guys, with the intensity.

We all have different styles, so it's part of the game trying to be competitive and compete and be determined.

I want to be the top player in the league, and I want to bring my game to another level. I want to play against the opposition's best players-and I want to beat them.

Any racism towards anybody, it's not acceptable.