Ron Francis Quotations

Certainly, I wouldn't be opposed to any of that if the right opportunity came along, I would certainly look at it. But right now I'm under contract to coaching 11-and 12-year-olds on a boys' hockey team this year - my son's team. Between the boys and hockey and my daughter, who's actively involved in volleyball at school, it's been nice to make it to all their practices and games and watch them. It's been fun being with them.

For me, that team was very special. We didn't win, but I don't think anybody gave us a chance to accomplish what we did. At the end of the day, it was a fantastic experience.

If it comes that the four of us are wearing a jacket at the same time, that's certainly a picture I'd love to have in my rec room.

If that happens, I certainly want a picture of all of us for my own wall,

I always joked in years past that when that time came I would send a fax in from the Caribbean.

I always said put me in front of 40 or 50,000 people and play hockey, I'm comfortable there. Put me in front of 50 people to talk or get in front of, and that's where I'm probably the least comfortable.

I think anybody would certainly be honored to have their name mentioned with Wayne Gretzky,

I think every team heads into the season believing they have a chance, and certainly we're no different here, ... And I think our experience two years ago shows that it's certainly possible. And look at Anaheim last year. Nobody picked them to have a chance and yet they got there. I think we're certainly capable of doing that. I think our team is ready to get back to the level where we were two years ago.

My personality is not one that goes out looking for that (publicity). If anything, I probably bring a little bit of that on myself because I tend to shy away from that limelight. But it was never about that. It was about playing the game. And the thing I'm most proud of over the length of my career is probably the consistency. That is the best part.

Looking back overall, it was a long ride. I certainly wasn't expecting it to be that long, but I certainly enjoyed many aspects of it and look back with fond memories and absolutely no regrets. It was a great part of my life.

To be in that class is very special for me and something I'm very proud of.

The quicker you help bring those young guys along the better it is for everybody on the team, ... The quicker they come along, the better chance we have of winning because they are going to help you and contribute to the success. So ultimately, that's what we are all doing is trying to win and be successful. So if the young guys are another piece of the puzzle, the quicker we can get them to fit in the better off we all are.

To all the players I had the chance to play with over my career, I thank you for all your hard work and dedication, your friendship, and for making this entire experience one I thoroughly enjoyed. To all my opponents over the years, I always had the utmost respect for your talents and how you competed every night. To the equipment guys and medical staffs, I thank you for all the hours you quietly put in to make sure that the players have the best opportunity to do their jobs well.

Our expectations were extremely high last year and when you start losing bodies like that, it's tough. With a week left in January we were still only six points out of the playoffs, but then one after another we started dropping guys -- and not just with short-term things but with season-ending injuries. I think at one point we had 13 guys out of the lineup. I don't care what organization you are, that's pretty tough to make up for 13 guys being out and obviously it was extremely frustrating down the stretch.

Off the ice, you just want people to think you are a good person.

(Coach Eddie Olczyk) and I are good friends, and we talk a fair amount, ... I think it probably would have been more enticing had the season picked up last February to do something (in Pittsburgh). But I actually called Mario (Lemieux) to congratulate him when the draft lottery when down, and he said, in passing, 'Are you going to play?' I said, 'No, I'm done.' And that was the extent of the conversation.

then working on legislation to match the numbers.

Nobody believed we could do what we did, and we almost went one step further and really surprised them, ... The entire ride has been memorable and fun. I have no regrets. It's been a great part of my life.

It's great, unfortunately it cost me a lot of money to fill up the building.

The (lack of) notoriety, that's for others to debate. I'm very satisfied with how my career went and I enjoyed the entire trip. I look back with no regrets.

I had a pretty clear picture once the season was cancelled last year (in February). So really in the last couple of months I was ready to announce this, but I've been pretty busy with the kids here. With everyone making their announcements, my agent called me and said we should get this thing official. So here were are.

I don't really look at myself in that category, but hearing your name mentioned alongside them is something I'm proud I've accomplished, and I take that as a huge compliment.

Hopefully that's the case, it would certainly be an honour,

He's like me ... only he can skate, ... When you come in the league everyone is always trying to put a label on you to compare you to someone. I know when I broke in the comparison that I heard was to Jean Beliveau. There are always going to be expectations when you get drafted as high as he did, but you'll see him develop his own unique style over time. Most guys find their own niche and their own way of making their career. I think there is no question that he is going to play in the NHL and be very successful.

I am not saying that if we win Game 3, we win that series, but it certainly would have put us in the driver's seat.

All week, I wasn't sure how it was going to go, how I was going to react. I had a lot of sleepless nights leading up to tonight. It was kind of a remarkable feeling. ... When I went out on to the ice, I had to hold it together and get through it. It was a fun night.

Every goal is a highlight film.

I always said put me in front of 40 or 50,000 people and play hockey, I'm comfortable there. Put me in front of 50 people to talk or get in front of, and that's where I'm probably the least comfortable.

I think any time you play your first NHL game, you remember that.

I think you always hope you can play forever, but you always realize that time will come... I was fortunate I was able to make a decision, move on and do it comfortably.

As a kid growing up in the little city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, I dreamed of one day playing in the NHL, but never did I expect it to be as much fun as it turned out to be.

It was a fun ride. I've enjoyed my time on the ice and I've enjoyed more and more people getting interested in the game of hockey.

You know there are so many people that have touched your life both on the ice and within your career in the NHL whether it be owners, GMs, coaches, players, trainers, all the way down. And that doesnt even account for all of the people that you encountered outside of the game that you met along this trip, too.

I played my age. Not bad.