"It was the salvation of the sport that it continually evolved athletically," Dore added. "He was the one who really moved the bar.  Kurt landed the first quad, but it was almost an aberration. Elvis took the quad and made it a necessity, and then he did the same with the quad-triple." ~ David Dore (Former Director General for Skate Canada)

"I remember thinking 'wow, he's not dying at the end like the Russians do,' " he said. "He was like a god to me when he was skating at worlds, the way he was doing all the quads and everything." ~ Alexei Yagudin (2002 Olympic Gold Medallist)

"He comes up to each skater and shakes their hand," said Yagudin. "That was really sweet. Elvis is a good guy. Now I look forward to shaking his hand (at every event)." ~ Alexei Yagudin (2002 Olympic Gold Medallist)

"He is, and always has been, an ancient warrior and should be carried out on his shield...bursting out of the gate in that distinctive, anything-but-classic stride. Fierce as a ninja, spewing nearly a toxic competitive aura." ~ Steve Milton (Reporter for the Hamilton Spectator)

"He is one of the few skaters in history I would have to say who had the courage to be himself. In a sport that likes pretty boys, he did not fit the mould, never tried to, and being true to himself fought the odds. He contributed not only technically but to the legacy of what makes a true champion -- and that is heart." ~ Debbi Wilkes (Former Skater, Current commentator for CTV/TSN)

"Few athletes have felt such love and respect from the people of this country, and they were on their feet at Copps Coliseum last night for one final tribute. He has always been his own man, and an honourable one at that, right to the end." ~ Rob Brodie (Reporter for the Ottawa Sun)

"His legacy is going to be how he pushed the difficult quad jumps and his competitive mind. There are other skaters who have talents in every which direction you can think of but they dont have this (points to head) up here. And this (points to head) can take you farther than your talent can." ~ Beverly Smith (Reporter for the Globe and Mail)

"What sets Elvis Stojko apart from the pack, it's the way his mind works just not how he manages those skates on the ice." ~ Pamela Wallin (Canadian Talk Show Host) 

"He's a pure athlete...he's a slugger, he's not a boxer he's a slugger, and he's a fighter, and he's like...a guy.  He goes out there and he goes 'I'm gonna do everything, I'm just gonna, urr!  I'm gonna guts it out.' and he's strong and he's skating like a teenager again." ~ Scott Hamilton (Former Skater, Current Commentator)

"People are sick of bells and whistles and tricks and lies and mirrors. They want it straight. They want all the cards on the table. Elvis does that. He does it his way." ~ Toller Cranston (Former Skater, Author)

"I have seen the future of figure skating and it is Elvis." "Tonight in the men's free program, Canadian Elvis Stojko will not be doing an interpretation of the unfolding of a tulip.  He will not pretend he is a fluffy cloud, a jolly snowman or a sad little bumblebee.  He is doing martial arts." ~ C.W. Nevius (Reporter from San Francisco Chronicle, from 1997, excerpt from Edge of Glory by Christine Brennan)

"Elvis Stojko, three-time world champion from Canada, the greatest jumper in the history of men's figure skating, and one of the sport's most intense competitors." ~ Christine Brennan (Author of Edge of Glory, excerpt from the book Edge of Glory)

"Elvis Stojko is entertaining.  And fast.  Sit in the first couple rows and you better hold on to your program when he flies by." ~ Lou Parees (from article in Blades on Ice)

"Stojko has never taken the easy route in his career or his life.  He has set his own course, determined to be true to his personal beliefs, rather than bending to what the public--or the judges--might call for." ~ Beverley Ware (co-author of the book Heroes With Heart - Canadian Athletes You Can Look Up To)

"Like so many of the movie-theme characters he portrays on the ice, he has faced great challenges and stared them down." ~ Steve Milton (co-author of the book Figure Skating Now with pictures by Gerard Chataigneau)

"There can be no doubt about this: Elvis Stojko changed the way men figure skate." ~ Steve Milton (co-author of the book Figure Skating Champions with pictures by Gerard Chataigneau)

"Elvis has contributed a lot to the skating community.  For one he's a great person, a great role model.  He's an inspiration not just only to skaters but to other people.  To me, I remember the first time I was on tour he was my big brother, he's still my big brother, you know we talk and I've gotten to know him over the years and just he's a really good guy." ~ Michelle Kwan (2-time Olympic Medallist)

"As for me he worked really positive because when I was watching him, even sitting in St.Petersburg watching that Worlds in Edmonton when he was like 8th after the short but then his excellent free program.  I still have this tape and sometimes I watch that.  What I learned from him is just, at that time like 5 years ago, how to really be focused and like just be like so powerful on the ice." ~ Alexei Yagudin (2002 Olympic Gold Medallist)

"He has a mind that is simply awesome." ~ Doug Leigh (Elvis' Former Coach)

"For me I always compare Elvis Stojko to Wayne Gretzky and what Wayne Gretzky has done for our country in hockey is what Elvis Stojko has done for figure skating.  I wish there was three marks in skating, artistic impression, and technical merit, and mental toughness, and Elvis will be solid 6's." ~ Joanne McLeod (Emanuel Sandhu's Coach)

"He was always willing to give it his all and his all is what he always gave it.  He gave nothing less and there was very little times that there was any more left." ~ Doug Leigh (Elvis' Former Coach)

"I think the most unbelievable thing I saw was what he did at the '98 Olympics in Nagano.  When you know, he was sick and he had that injury with the groin and that he wasn't telling anybody about but he still went out there and skated and to me that was the most unbelievable display of mental toughness I've ever seen.  I think he's the most mentally tough person I've ever seen." ~ Beverly Smith (Reporter for the Globe and Mail)

"His perseverance has inspired people like myself and Megan to keep training, keep pushing towards our goal.  He never let up, he's always dreamt about his Olympic Gold and achieving his personal best and that's actually influenced us to keep going until 2006." ~ Aaron Lowe (2003 Canadian Bronze Medallist in Dance with Megan Wing)

"Elvis is the kind of guy that brings a new outlook to the sport, like I used to be in mechanics and a lot of guys didn't really care about figure skating but when they saw Elvis, you know it's great he does the neat tricks and he does the quad and they were all impressed and I have friends now that watch figure skating all the time because of Elvis." ~ Patrice Lauzon (2003 Canadian Silver Medallist in Dance with Marie-France Dubreil)

"I think Elvis is an inspiration for every singles skater out there.  Not only in Canada but in the entire World.  Elvis is someone you can look up to and he's always someone that can support you as well.  He's been great throughout all the years, no one ever doubted that he could be on the top and he's still on the top even if it's his last year." ~ Shawn Sawyer (2002 Canadian Junior Men's Gold Medallist)

"You know they talk about hang time in other sports, he defines it in figure skating doesn't he?" ~ Terry Gannon (Sports Commentator)

"Elvis is a karate kickin'...dirt bikin'...rock'n'rollin'...quadruple toe loopin' kind of guy." ~ Scott Hamilton (Former Skater, Current TV Commentator)

SKATERS GOODBYES TO ELVIS AT 2002 CANADIANS

"Well can you believe it, your final canadians, what an incredible ride.  I know you've always found your dirt bike riding to be exciting but hey that's nothing compared to what it's been like following your career.  Over the years I've noticed a number of things, number one, the Elvis factor.  You know when you go into a competition everything changes, because of your mental toughness nobody is safe.  I've also marvelled at how you've touched skaters here in Canada and skaters Worldwide.  The number of times that I've interviewed skaters and they have said that their idol or their role model is Elvis Stojko.  And Elvis, I've watched how people have tried to change you, you haven't always been what everybody wanted you to be but, you've always been who you wanted to be.  You stayed the course and stayed true to yourself.  Another thing I've noticed Elvis is at the end of many of your performances you've looked up here in the audience and said, Thank You.  Well Elvis, now it's my turn, thank you." ~ Tracy Wilson (Former Skater, Current CTV/TSN Commentator)

"Elvis as a young skater coming to Barrie you always gave me the comfort and friendship needed that would really drive me to be able to follow in your footsteps.  Elvis you are known for your mental toughness, on behalf of all of us thank you for teaching all the skaters in Canada what it takes to be strong." ~ Jennifer Robinson (7-Time Canadian Women's Champion)

"Elvis on behalf of all the athletes I would like to thank you for your encouragement, your determination, and your sheer will as an athlete in this sport.  On a more personal note thank you for being my team-mate, my support company at times, and for just being you Elvis." ~ Ben Ferriera (2001 Canadian Bronze Medallist)

"I would like to thank you for your great sportsmanship and respect you have shown other athletes.  I would like to thank you for being such a great ambassador and inspiration for this sport.  And I would like to thank you for all the things you've given of yourself to others." ~ Jan Ullmark (Jamie Sale and David Pelletier's Coach)

"Elvis what you have brought all of us in your career.  You are a guy that believed in yourself.  You are the man that was in touch with his mind, his feeling, and who he was.  And better than all that how you were gonna get it.  How you went inside yourself and through all channels and how you wanted to climb the mountain and how you wanted to be understood.  I think myself and all of us have the utmost respect.  But as Canadians, not just coaches and everybody here today, the pride that you brought all of us, what you shared with us, having people sitting on the edge of their seats through all your World Championships and Olympic Games.  On edge, watching you bring yourself forward and be totally understood and your excellence and mindset is second to none and you have given all of us some of that.  To you the man, Elvis Stojko." ~ Doug Leigh (Elvis' Former Coach)

"Elvis, Elvis, Elvis, I've watched you and I've covered you over the last decade from a teenage boy into a World Champion into the man that you've become.  I know that your parents named you after Elvis Presley, I met a woman the other day who has a 9 month old boy named Elvis and she named her son after you and that tells you the kind of impact that you've had on this country, on skating fans, on this sport.  You've had huge jumps but you've done it with a huge heart, the stuff you do away from the rink.  I can't wait for you to come on my old-timer hockey team, I have a spot for you, I'd like you to land a quad on one of the defencemen if you can.  But more than anything I'd like to thank you for the years of giving us some great coverage and for what you've done for this sport.  Some people call you Terminator, we know you as the Gladiator.  Elvis, you the man." ~ Rod Black (Sports Commentator)

"On behalf of the skaters we would like to thank you and we would like also to thank, Doug and Michelle Leigh, Uschi, and your parents.  For making you the skater you are but first the man you are.  What is this salty discharge?  Thank you." ~ David Pelletier (2002 Olympic Gold Medallist in Pairs with Jamie Sale)