"I always said to myself that if I thought I slipped and could not be the player that I want to be, then it was time for me to go"

In this quote, Joe Sakic, a former expert ice hockey player, assesses his state of mind towards retirement. He discusses that he constantly held himself to a high standard and had a clear vision of the kind of player he wished to be. If he ever felt like he was not measuring up to that requirement, he understood it was time for him to step far from the video game. This quote highlights Sakic's dedication and decision to always strive for excellence in his career. It likewise shows his self-awareness and desire to make the difficult choice to retire if he felt he could no longer fulfill his own expectations.