Quotes from 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

One thing I hate is people screaming at me. If you want me to do something, talk to me. When someone screams at me to hurry up, I slow down.

Oh, I did stop smoking a long time ago.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Play without fear, and you will be successful.

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.

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.