It's always a tough situation when a great player has to retire. He's meant so much to not only the National Hockey League, but the city of Pittsburgh and that franchise. You don't replace players like Mario Lemieux. He's a great hockey player and a good person. The game will miss him.

Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky

Meant Not Player Retire Situation Tough When

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We're in a tough situation because of teenage children, and then we have a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old, so my family and my responsibilities is sort of a juggle.

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I don't want to get into a situation like 2002 when we picked the team so early and then some players got hot later and we got criticized,

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I've never seen a guy like that, ... Maybe Gordie Howe. Gordie didn't ever want to retire and that's how Mark was: I want to play forever. He never wanted to quit. I know it's going to be a tough day for him, being officially retired.

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He was the best player I ever played with.

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What I did as a hockey player, nobody can ever take it away, ... It's done, it's over. I loved it. I had more fun at the games than anybody. Now I have this new chapter. We'll see in time what happens.

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