1. “I grew up trying to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs, not Team Canada. Didn’t even know it existed.” – This quote highlights Oates’ singular focus on playing for his hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. It speaks to the intensity of his childhood dream.
2. “I went to the Hall of Fame with my dad. I can’t say I really remember too much about it.” – This quote reveals a surprising lack of emphasis on individual accolades for Oates. He seems more focused on the journey and the people he shared it with.
3. “I can’t be a hypocrite as a coach because as a player that’s wanted feedback, I wanted communication from the boss. I showed up for work, you can yell at me if you want, but I want input. So that’s the kind of coach I want to be.” – This quote showcases Oates’ desire for open communication and collaboration between coaches and players. He emphasizes the importance of the coach-player relationship.
4. “Growing up as a kid my father was British and a soccer player. His idol was a guy that passed the ball a lot, Stanley Matthews. Our family thought if you could be unselfishness your teammates would always like you.” – This quote sheds light on the origins of Oates’ unselfish playing style. His father’s influence instilled in him the value of teamwork and passing.
5. “You eat and sleep it all day long and play on the streets until mom calls you in. My story is no different than anybody else’s.” – This quote downplays Oates’ exceptional NHL career. He suggests that his dedication to hockey was no different from any other passionate kid playing the sport.
6. “Even the superstars need to be coached once in a while.” – This quote emphasizes Oates’ belief in continuous learning, regardless of skill level. Even the best players can benefit from good coaching.
7. “19 years old, pumping gas and going nowhere. High school dropout at that point because I left school to play hockey, but no one drafted me.” – This quote reveals a period of struggle in Oates’ early life. It highlights his perseverance and eventual success despite initial setbacks.
8. “I think that’s why I’m such a good person now, because I was such a bad guy then.” – This quote suggests that Oates went through a personal transformation. Perhaps he learned from past mistakes and became a better person because of them.
9. “Assistant coaches become a little bit more buddies to the players than a head coach.” – This quote offers Oates’ perspective on the different roles within a coaching staff. Assistant coaches might develop a closer bond with the players, while the head coach maintains a leadership position.
10. “There’s a big difference between being a good player and a good coach.” – This quote acknowledges the distinct skillsets required for playing and coaching hockey. Just because someone was a great player doesn’t guarantee they’ll be a great coach.
11. “The best players in the world make the game look easy. That’s because they’ve worked damn hard to make it look that way.” – This quote emphasizes the dedication and effort required for hockey players to achieve excellence.
12. “Championships are won by teams that buy into the system.” – This quote highlights Oates’ belief in the importance of a strong team structure and everyone adhering to the game plan.
13. “Hockey is a game of mistakes. The team that makes the fewest mistakes usually wins.” – This quote emphasizes the importance of minimizing errors and capitalizing on the mistakes of your opponent.
14. “It’s about winning. Individual stats don’t mean anything if you’re not winning.” – This quote reinforces Oates’ focus on team success over personal achievements.
15. “Offense wins games, defense wins championships.” – This classic hockey quote reflects Oates’ understanding of the importance of a balanced team that can score goals and prevent them.
