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Hockey Quotes

Mostly mental, entirely earned.

Several voices here insist hockey is won mostly in the head, with the physical side almost secondary once you're at a competitive level, and that any skill on display was built through work rather than natural gift alone.

I played professional hockey in Europe. I played in the German third league and the Dutch elite league.

Quotes by Wyatt Russell

A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.

Quotes by Wayne Gretzky

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.

Quotes by Wayne Gretzky

Ninety percent of hockey is mental and the other half is physical.

Quotes by Wayne Gretzky

Always Quotes

Hockey is the original extreme sport.

Quotes by Tom Ward

Growing up in Finland, ice hockey was the main sport. But I never played that. I went with footy. I never had any other hobbies.

Quotes by Teemu Pukki

By 1946, I knew Detroit was the best hockey city in the Original Six.

Quotes by Ted Lindsay

I watch a lot of hockey. There are some good hockey players and there are some awfully stupid hockey players.

Quotes by Ted Lindsay

I hated everybody I played against, and they hated me. That's the way hockey should be played.

Quotes by Ted Lindsay

Baseball Quotes

Basketball isn't as popular in Canada as it is in the US. Hockey is by far the most popular sport in Canada.

Quotes by Steve Nash

Usually when I wielded a hockey stick, it meant somebody was going to get hurt. This is just a friendly match.

Quotes by Stan Mikita

It's really football, tennis, and golf that I watch other than hockey.

Quotes by Sidney Crosby

I am a huge hockey fan.

Quotes by Serinda Swan

Hockey players are given as much respect as any other sportsperson in our country.

Quotes by Sandeep Singh

Canada Quotes

India is known for hockey all over the world.

Quotes by Sandeep Singh

I don't just want to be a drag-flicker. I want to be become a complete hockey player.

Quotes by Sandeep Singh

HIL is a boon for Indian hockey.

Quotes by Sandeep Singh

I really did love hockey. It was one of my favorite things to do.

Quotes by Sam Bradford

I went to a fight the other night, and a hockey game broke out.

Quotes by Rodney Dangerfield

Fan Quotes

Probably the biggest thing that surprises people is that I am obsessed with hockey. I grew up in the Boston area so I am obsessed with hockey since I was a little kid.

Quotes by Rob Zombie

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this Hockey quotes page about?
It's about the mental and physical demands of the sport, drawing on players and coaches who emphasize hard-earned skill over raw talent.
Why do coaches say hockey is mostly mental?
At a competitive level, physical ability is often assumed, so several quotes here point to focus and preparation as the real difference-makers.
How does this collection describe elite-level anticipation on the ice?
One well-known line puts it simply: a solid player skates to wherever the puck currently sits, while a great one anticipates where it's headed next.
Does this collection mention international hockey?
Yes, one entry describes playing professionally in European leagues, showing the sport's reach well beyond its most famous leagues.
Where can I find more sports quotes about grit?
See our Baseball and Fan quotes for related themes.

The sharpest line separates good from great by anticipation: a good player goes where the puck already is, a great one goes where it's about to be. For more on competitive grit, see our Baseball and Fan quotes.