Memorable quotes from Saku Koivu
Former Habs captain on his early years in Montreal, battling cancer and his career
A selection of Saku Koivu quotes from features written through the years by The Gazette’s Dave Stubbs:
“The history is all around you here. You see all the names and faces of the people, the great teams that have been here. When I was named captain of the Canadiens, I heard more about these men. But what shocked me was later, when I walked into the (Bell Centre’s) Mise au Jeu restaurant and saw the paintings of the team’s captains hanging on the wall. The last one was me. You can’t really believe that you’re among those other players.” – Dec. 23, 2006, in a feature story on his leadership
“I was afraid. No, that isn’t the right word. Anxious and intimidated, at the same time. Look at the people who have worn the “C.” When I look at the pictures on the (dressing-room) wall, it’s a pretty amazing group of players and human beings. If I get stuck in the moment (now), that’s not good. But I think I’ll realize how big a thing it is to be a captain of this team in 20 years. Or in 10 years, when I’m gone and retired and I’m sitting home, watching. That’s when it will hit me.”
– Oct 10, 2008, on his thoughts in September 1999 about having been named the 27th captain in Canadiens history
“My year with cancer gave me the permission to be able to enjoy and to forget. When you’re 23, 24, 25, you’re not overly experienced with your life. Maybe I took things more personally then. The captaincy and being here a long time has taught me a lot. Do I enjoy (the criticism)? No. But do I take it personally? No, I don’t. The things I’ve learned and experienced as captain are going to help me in the years after I’ve finished playing.”
– Oct. 10, 2008
“(Montreal) is an interesting place every now and then. If I’m ever criticized about my performance on the ice, I don’t have a problem with that. It’s part of being a pro athlete. But sometimes the stuff that’s created by (media) who aren’t with the team and don’t know what’s going on, it gets tough sometimes.”
– April 25, 2009, following what would be his final game with the Canadiens
“It’s going to feel like I’m playing on home ice, in a home arena, but I’ll be wearing a Ducks jersey. I should be the one standing on the red line, applauding the fans, giving them a standing ovation.”
– Jan. 22, 2011, in anticipation of his homecoming game
“(In Montreal), you can’t escape the game. You can’t go anywhere and not talk about it. I said it when I was here — when things are going well, when you’re winning, there’s not a better place to play hockey than Montreal. But if you’re expected to score and win and that doesn’t happen, you hear about it and read about it. It wears on you.
“In Anaheim, the pressure and expectations comes from inside the team and organization. When the game is done, you can go to a beach and nobody knows who you are. You don’t have to talk about why you missed an open net the night before.
“My wife or family will tell you I’m letting myself enjoy life more. I’m more relaxed, I kind of show my emotions more. If I’m sad, frustrated or happy, the gap between the public figure and husband/ father is not as wide as it might have been here.” – Jan. 22, 2011, on how a change of teams changed his life
“During my cancer treatments, I never thought about what would happen with hockey. It was more important just to survive and beat the disease. Since then, I’m allowing myself to enjoy life and hockey more, even if the game has lost a ton of its meaning and importance in my life.
“I’ve been okay for a long time with one day having to retire. Whenever it ends, I’ll feel I’ve accomplished a lot and I’m okay with that.”
– March 13, 2012, as he prepared to play his 1,000th
NHLgame
“At this point in my life and career, when I signed my one-year contract (with Anaheim in May 2012), we briefly talked about a two-year deal. I felt then, and I still feel, that it’s a lot easier for me to commit myself for one season. I know that I could push myself in an off-season. I know that I could put the work into it that’s needed.
“It doesn’t mean that I’m going to retire. I feel that two years is too long a time to make the commitment. One year felt more comfortable. When the season is going, you try to get all your focus on the games and the season you’re playing and not worry too much about the future.
“But, obviously, by this point, you’re kind of planning, trying to figure out what’s next. I haven’t made up my mind on what’s going to happen next year. Obviously, I’m having a lot of fun and there’s no reason why not to play next year.”
– Feb. 9, 2013, a few months before signing a one-year deal with Anaheim for the 2013-14 season