Some of this week’s world o’ hockey quotes—just odds and ends from the chatty guys of the NHL.
“You’ve got to have patience. If you’re a good player and you keep working hard, by the time you’re 18 or 19 someone’s going to notice you. It’s easy to sell your soul and give in, because the Western league will give you this and that. But if you really want to go play college ... if you have a dream, don’t doubt yourself.”
WJC Team Canada star Jonathan Towes has some advice for other players who worry that taking the college route to professional hockey might limit their career chances. Towes was drafted in 2006 by the Chicago Blackhawks.
“Capitals fans are great fans. But sometimes there’s not many. I want more.”
Washington Capitals’ star Alexander Ovechkin likes the people of D.C., he just wishes more of them would show up to his games. Owner Ted Leonsis has said that his team needs to increase attendance by 3,000 per game just to break even.
“It’s great to us when we see the other team putting their best defensive pairing against us. That’s a great challenge. We were used to that back in Sweden but here over the years it hasn’t happened… To us, it’s fun.”
Vancouver Canuck Henrik Sedin talks about getting respect in the NHL. Commenting on the difficulties of containing the Sedin brothers in a game, Edmonton’s Steve Staios remarks that they’re “nifty.” (Well… neat-o!)
QUESTION: So, I’ve heard you have a pretty bad snoring problem. That’s what Brent Burns says. How bad is it?
BOOGAARD: Oh, it’s not even that bad. He just said I breathe heavy now. And Burnsie, he’s growing up, he’s aging, the bones in his face are hardening. You should hear him, too.
A recent interview with Minnesota Wild tough guy Derek Boogaard
“I’m not going to lie to you guys. I’m not going to sit here and say we’re not going to do nothing. That wouldn’t be the truth. But there’s nothing imminent right now.”
Phoenix Coyotes’ coach Wayne Gretzky. Also known as code-speak for “Someone please call us with a better offer!!”
“The hardest goalie to score on was the goalie who had the best defense in front of him. Because I could score on all of them.”
Brett Hull shares his self-confidence with Sports Illustrated.
“I sarcastically asked Modano the other day if he would be ready for the playoffs and he responded: ‘Maybe. I’m probably 50-50 for April.’”
Dallas Morning News reporter Mike Heika comments on the injury status—and frustrations—of Stars’ forward Mike Modano.
“There’s days I say, ‘Geez. It wasn’t that long ago I was coaching Cam Russell with the Dartmouth bantam AAs.’”
New York Islanders’ assistant coach Danny Flynn is living ‘the dream’ since he was hired last summer on the Island.
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*many thanks to those who led me to these sources.
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