Zdeno Chara

“I will never know what it's like to walk down a street and feel unsafe. No one should have to experience that feeling.”

“It's one of those things, like in sports and other situations in life, you're going to have some adversities and some challenges that are similar to the race. You go uphill one moment and then you go downhill, but that's life too. You've got to be willing to sometimes take it slow but keep going.”

“Ideally, you want to have some guys get that rest... Because after 70-something games, you've practiced enough.”

“Playing the whole season and going through the whole playoffs in 2011 was the hardest 10-month period.”

“Every article starts that way: Zdeno Chara, six-foot-nine, big strong defenceman. I'm like, Oh my God, does every player get their weight and height listed before they write something about him? No.”

“How can you expect something out of a young player on the ice when you treat him differently off the ice? I believe in certain acts or behaviors, and it's a standard for me that we're not going to be using anything against anyone.”

“For sure it takes longer for bigger guys or tall guys to be really agile. Growing up, my dad and a few coaches always said that's the first and main priority for me, agility and quick feet, before getting strong.”

“I want to stay in Boston. I want to be a Boston Bruin, and I want to continue to lead by example and share my experiences and my games skills with the younger players and my teammates.”

“To miss games, I just don't think it's for me personally. I don't like it. The other guys might like it, but I like to play. I like to play games.”

“When it comes down to the game, I focus on the game.”

“A lot of times life is spinning so fast around you that you kind of think it's out of control and that's when you need to slow down a little bit and take a break.”

“People always take pictures and ask me for autographs. That just comes with it. We all do that.”

“Hopefully I won't have to sleep with my feet out of the tent.”

“I'm not a freak show. I'm a hockey player.”

“To see other teams in the playoffs and battling for the Cup, it's something that gives you a little inspiration.”

“I love competing. I love doing all these things, coming to the rink, talking to the guys, doing the routine, working out in the summer, going through that grind.”