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When I played in a 21-team league, there were six or seven goalies who were just average, and the equipment and pads were smaller. I came in the right era. I played for the right team. It was all speed, and creativity and imagination.

Wayne Gretzky

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Wayne Gretzky
Age: 63
Born: 1961
Born: January 26
Ice Hockey Coach
Ice Hockey Player
Restaurateur
The Corporation of the City of Brantford
The Great One
Wayne Douglas Gretzky
Came
Six
Right
Speed
Played
Goalies
Average
Pads
Seven
Equipment
Creativity
Smaller
Team
Eras
Imagination
League

More quotes by Wayne Gretzky

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It's easier to lose than to win.
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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.
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When people come up to me and say, I was at your Game 7 in the playoffs in Toronto, or, I saw your first goal in the NHL, that triggers memories. But I don't sit around my kitchen table and tell my kids, You know, one year I got 92 goals.
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I really wanted to write a book [99: Stories of the Game] on the tradition and history of the league, where kids can pick it up and read it and learn things and say, Geez, I didn't know that. That's pretty cool.
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It really doesn't matter or concern me what people are saying or who thinks who is the favorite. The bottom line is you have to play.
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My best friend had a hockey scholarship at Ohio State, so I would get a couple of pairs at the beginning of the season and send them down to him. They practised two hours a day. He'd skate in them for three weeks then ship them back.
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The biggest difference between L.A. and Edmonton was that instead of people looking at me I was looking at them.
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I'm very proud of our NHL players. I think they all handle themselves extremely well and they all work really hard.
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Your friends, family, and kids have to understand that's your priority. It's the only way you can be successful.
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Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy.
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It's just amazing how many companies suddenly want you to hold up their products after you've held up the Stanley Cup.
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Only one thing is ever guaranteed, that is that you will definitely not achieve the goal if you don't take the shot.
Wayne Gretzky
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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
Wayne Gretzky
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I have recall. I don't know why or how. I had a guy once who said he played against me in novice [league, for kids under nine], for the Detroit Lasers. And I said, Oh yeah, we beat you in the tournament, 8-1 and I think I scored seven goals, and the goalie was left-handed. And he was, Oh my God. I was the goalie! .
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In one sense we are a favorite because we won a gold medal in 2002.
Wayne Gretzky
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Everything I did in hockey, I worked for.
Wayne Gretzky
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It's really hard. And it's harder today because of the salary cap. It starts in September at training camp - getting every guy on the same page, being as mentally and physically as focused as you can be. Then in April and May, you basically spend eight weeks practising, watching video and playing games. That's your life.
Wayne Gretzky
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I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.
Wayne Gretzky
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The only way a kid is going to practise is if it's total fun for him... and it was for me.
Wayne Gretzky
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The greatest thing about playing obviously is winning, and you can't replace that experience with anything.
Wayne Gretzky