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EVENTS
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
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All-Star Quotebook
Mario Lemieux on whether he feels responsible for selling hockey around the world: "I think it is all our responsibilities. But I certainly understand that I have to do my share and I am willing to do this at this stage of my career. I feel comfortable doing it." Brett Hull on how playing at the Olympics compares to winning the Stanley Cup: "It doesn't. All we've ever dreamed of since we were kids is winning the Stanley Cup." NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on speculation the Montreal Canadiens might move now that they have been sold to American businessman George Gillett Jr.: "The Canadiens, if they are not in Montreal, are not the Canadiens. And any discussions, speculation, rumor or the like, that somehow its geographic location is in jeopardy is simply without foundation. That franchise, I repeatedly said, is not going anywhere." Bettman, on the format that will be used at next year's All-Star Game in advance of the Salt Lake City Olympics: "It is safe to assume we are not going to do East-West next year. We may keep this format or if we can come up with something a little more exotic that is workable, we may consider doing that. ... If there is a better mousetrap out there, we are prepared to consider it." Alexei Kovalev on his boss and teammate, Mario Lemieux: "I always thought of an owner as being in his 40s or 50s. With Mario, I always thought of him as a player." Vancouver' Ed Jovanovski, on Lemieux's comeback: "I do watch a lot of hockey and every time I turn the TV on, I'll miss the first period and he already has two or three points. I'm always waiting around to see the highlights. I think it's a great boost for the NHL. They're selling out every rink he goes to. Attendance is picking up. That's what it's all about." Philadelphia's Simon Gagne, who grew up a Quebec Nordiques fan, on how he felt when the team moved to Colorado: "I was very, very [ticked] off. It was a shock. You just lost your team. They tried to bring a minor league team to Quebec, but they get only 4,000 people a night." San Jose Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, a native of Kazakhstan, on mastering English: "I studied English in school and I thought I knew it. When I came over here and you guys [in the media] talked so fast, I realized I knew nothing. I couldn't catch any of it." Detroit's Sergei Fedorov, on his relationship with coach Scotty Bowman: "I always feel comfortable with Scotty. I never feel uncomfortable with him because he's a great coach. He sees things we don't see and obviously he has plans for all of us." Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ray Bourque, on whether he ever imagined playing in 19 All-Star Games: "You come in, you try to establish yourself as a solid NHL player. Years go by and you keep coming here. It's really surprising in some ways. You never take anything for granted and you always have something to prove." Atlanta Thrashers right wing Donald Audette, who is eligible for unrestricted free agency at the end of the season: "In the future, things will happen if things keep happening on the ice. I'm trying to make things happen in Atlanta. They've got a good future, a good young team. [Free agency] is still far away." Avalanche center Joe Sakic on his chances of winning the Hart Trophy as NHL most valuable player: "I haven't given much thought to it. Things have gone well for our hockey club and myself. A lot of credit has to go to my wingers, Milan [Hejduk] and Alex [Tanguay]. It's been a pleasure playing with two great, young players who can score and move the puck." Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils on what goaltenders talk about when they get together at an event like All-Star Weekend: "We talk about equipment -- how come you're using this, how come you're using that." Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Sean Burke on making his first All-Star appearance in 12 years: "Every year, my wife asks what are we going to do for the All-Star break and I'd say to her in October, don't do anything, don't make plans, I'm going to be playing there. It was a running joke for 10 years."
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