Wayne Gretzky

One of the key qualities that you need to be a great hockey player is fantastic anticipation and feel for the game - if you know where the puck is going before it is hit, that is half the battle.

I knew at a young age, whether I was playing baseball or hockey or lacrosse, that my teammates were counting on me, whether it be to strike the last batter out in a baseball game or score a big goal in a hockey game.

When I was 5 and playing against 11-year-olds, who were bigger, stronger, faster, I just had to figure out a way to play with them.

I played everything. I played lacrosse, baseball, hockey, soccer, track and field. I was a big believer that you played hockey in the winter and when the season was over you hung up your skates and you played something else.

Only one thing is ever guaranteed, that is that you will definitely not achieve the goal if you don't take the shot.

I get a feeling about where a teammate is going to be. A lot of times, I can turn and pass without even looking.

Look at guys like Larry Bird and George Brett and John McEnroe; that's what they did in their careers. They all wanted to be the guy under the microscope late in the game or late in the match. So you just take on that know-how that that's part of your responsibility, and you learn that's what makes it exciting. That's what makes it fun!

I'm very proud of our NHL players. I think they all handle themselves extremely well and they all work really hard.

I couldn't beat people with my strength; I don't have a hard shot; I'm not the quickest skater in the league. My eyes and my mind have to do most of the work.

The highest compliment that you can pay me is to say that I work hard every day, that I never dog it.

I wasn't naturally gifted in terms of size and speed; everything I did in hockey I worked for, and that's the way I'll be as a coach.

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.

Maybe it wasn't the talent the Lord gave me-maybe it was the passion.

It's kind of ironic when I broke in at 17, I was told I was too small, too slow and I wouldn't make the NHL

One hundred percent of shots not taken don't go in.