It is an immense privilege to be able to play in the NHL. I was very blessed and a lot of things went my way to be able to make it.

You can't abuse your body and you need to work hard on your weaknesses. Everyone likes to focus on the things they are good at. But when you focus on the things you are weak at, it makes you a much better athlete.

A lot of people think that you have to specialize in one sport from an early age in order to turn pro. Most of my teammates played a lot of different sports when we were kids. I liked to golf, water ski and play baseball. That helped me develop other aspects of my game and made me WANT to be on the ice even more once hockey season started.

If you've only got one day to live, come see the Toronto Maple Leafs. It'll seem like forever.

I've been fortunate. I've had no residual effects whatsoever. I got out just in time.