“Surfing is the hardest sport I have ever taken up. I think the challenge, along with the serenity it offers, makes it such an amazing sport, and way of life, for that matter…. [] And it is a pretty hard feeling to beat when you catch a great wave.”

Calgary Flames defenseman Andrew Ference has a passion for surfing. (Right on, Spicoli! Btw, it’s worth clicking that link—an interesting article about Ference and things going on in his life.)

“We’re a bunch of homers, right?”

Brian Rolston of the Minnesota Wild has had eight multi-point games this season, and all have been on home ice. Practically incapable of winning on the road at all, the Wild boast the league’s second best home record.

“You always find something to worry about as a coach. You score nine and you wonder if we’re getting soft.”

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Paul Maurice after smoking the NY Rangers last weekend, 9-2. (Geez… maybe the guy needs to loosen up a bit?)

“We’ve got to stop the bleeding. We’re saying the same thing over and over and over. Did we play bad tonight? No. We battled.”

Tampa Bay Lightning’s Martin St. Louis responds to a question about the team’s recent winless streak. The Lightning have lost eight of their last ten contests—the ‘battle’ hasn’t been going so good for a while.

“I actually don’t want us playing our best hockey now, because I think that lessens our chances of playing our best hockey in April and May.”

San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson is concerned that his team is winning just a little too much. (GMs around the league promptly sent Wilson emails with phrases like “Shut up, wiseass.”)

“We need more out of me and my line. I haven’t done anything in how long? It’s ridiculous and it’s a joke.”

Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan is feeling a little down on himself these days having scored zero goals and one assist in the month of December.

“The big difference now is that people yell it with a smile on their face as opposed to the hatred that once was. It’s just one of those things that’s passed from one generation to the next, I guess. Kind of like season tickets.”

Former NY Islander Denis Potvin is now a broadcaster for the Florida Panthers. 28 years later, he still hears the infamous chant from Rangers fans at Madison Square Garden. From the NYT: “Regardless of the opponent, the infamous Potvin chant is heard multiple times throughout any Rangers home game.” New Yorkers never forget.

“I get smack-talked all the time on the ice from other players. Just like, ‘I thought you were going to be a lot better,’ stuff like that.”

15 year old Ty Gretzky talks about playing hockey when you’re the Son of Wayne.

“Sometimes when you’re young, you think you’re the best player in the world. If you can crack the first two lines (in the NHL), good for you. I don’t think I’m going to take Vincent Lecavalier’s or (Mike) Richards’ spot. There’s other guys who are as good as me, or better than me. You just try to fit in on a team. You have to do whatever it takes to make it.”

AHL Falcons’ center Daniel Corso is 28 years old now, and shooting for some NHL time with the Tampa Bay Lightning. After two years in Germany and no NHL time in three seasons, the dream lives on.