Hockey is a tough, physical game, and it always should be. Mario Lemieux More Quotes by Mario Lemieux More Quotes From 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 teamsportsthinking 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 winesportspast 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 coupleplaysports 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 decisionpeoplethinking 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 hockeysportsson Depending on how we start the season, I can play center or wing... It doesn't matter to me. Mario Lemieux playwingssports 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 sportsyearsthinking Well, I think just a desire to come back and be a part of the game again. Mario Lemieux gamessportsthinking 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 saidsports I think the lottery changed everything for us. Once we got Sidney, it helped us turn this franchise around overnight. Mario Lemieux turnschangedthinking 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 hockeyicesports 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. Mario Lemieux playpastyears Oh, I did stop smoking a long time ago. Mario Lemieux marijuanasmokinglong It was great to play with some of my old linemates. Mario Lemieux play I can no longer play at a level I was accustomed to in the past. Mario Lemieux levelsplaypast Red wine is a great accompaniment to meat. Mario Lemieux redwinemeat I didn't speak English until I came to Pittsburgh. Mario Lemieux pittsburghspeak-englishspeak A month before the season I stop putting ketchup on my french fries. Mario Lemieux monthseasonstopfrench-fries A month before the season, I don't order fries with my club sandwich. Mario Lemieux sandwichmonthcluborder 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 backmechancetime
