--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think I learned a lot just playing…" description: "\"I think I learned a lot just playing against Canada and Russia. Their rosters are filled with NHL studs and All-Stars.\" — Auston Matthews" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/auston-matthews-6686_canada_i-think-i-learned-a-lot-just-playing-aga_2349392.jpg" --- # I think I learned a lot just playing against Canada and… ![“I think I learned a lot just playing against Canada and Russia. Their rosters are filled with NHL studs and All-Stars.” quote by Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/auston-matthews-6686_canada_i-think-i-learned-a-lot-just-playing-aga_2349392.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/auston-matthews-6686_canada_i-think-i-learned-a-lot-just-playing-aga_2349392.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/auston-matthews-6686_canada_i-think-i-learned-a-lot-just-playing-aga_2349392.jpg) > “I think I learned a lot just playing against Canada and Russia. Their rosters are filled with NHL studs and All-Stars.” [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Competing against top international teams provides valuable lessons and highlights areas for improvement. **In simple terms:** Playing against elites teaches a lot. Key Takeaway Learn from high‑level competition. Themes sports development learning mindset competition Mood focused optimistic Type advice motivational When to use this quote - team strategy sessions - skill drills - video review - coach feedback Key Concepts Deliberate practice performance analysis Questions to Reflect On - What specific skill did you improve from this matchup? - How will you apply these lessons next season? A Different Perspective High‑pressure games can also damage confidence if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Canada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canada/) [Hockey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hockey/) [Russia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russia/) ## Related quotes > [Playing for Canada changed my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-brodeur/playing-for-canada-changed-my-career/) [Martin Brodeur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-brodeur/) > [The No. 1 country in the world to do business in is which one? To locate where you want to create jobs, where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-t-chambers/the-no-1-country-in-the-world-to-do-business-in-is-which-one-to/) [John T. Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-t-chambers/) > [After 'Rock Star,' I was definitely doing more high profile gigs. I was playing in Iceland. I was playing in Canada.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-logan/after-rock-star-i-was-definitely-doing-more-high-profile-gigs-i-was/) Josh Logan > [I love playing and I like traveling. I really do like playing in Canada, its not to diminish anywhere else because touring internationally can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-plaskett/i-love-playing-and-i-like-traveling-i-really-do-like-playing-in/) [Joel Plaskett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-plaskett/) > [I really pride myself on playing for Canada and representing the country in any way I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamal-murray/i-really-pride-myself-on-playing-for-canada-and-representing-the/) [Jamal Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamal-murray/) > [When I was growing up, you didn't know there was a women's national team. Now girls grow up dreaming of playing for Canada.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-sinclair/when-i-was-growing-up-you-didn-t-know-there-was-a-women-s-national/) Christine Sinclair > [In Canada, hockey is the dominant thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/in-canada-hockey-is-the-dominant-thing/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I've never been invited to do an exhibition or do a talk in England, except once, about 10 years ago. I've given talks all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-wildsmith/i-ve-never-been-invited-to-do-an-exhibition-or-do-a-talk-in-england/) [Brian Wildsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-wildsmith/) > [One of the things that I miss about Canada is that even the strangers, you have an immediate rapport, there's just an understanding that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/one-of-the-things-that-i-miss-about-canada-is-that-even-the-strangers/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [Purchasing items made in the U.S. for our stores here or Canadian goods for our stores in Canada makes good business sense because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-mcmillon/purchasing-items-made-in-the-u-s-for-our-stores-here-or-canadian/) [Doug McMillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-mcmillon/) > [“Not very long ago I was driving with my husband on the back roads of Grey County, which is to the north and east…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/not-very-long-ago-i-was-driving-with-my-husband-on-the-back-roads-of/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [Our country has shown a lack of will to resist its own disintegration .. . Canada is practically the only country left in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/northrop-frye/our-country-has-shown-a-lack-of-will-to-resist-its-own-disintegration/) [Northrop Frye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/northrop-frye/) > [Plant flowers in others' gardens and your life becomes a bouquet! Submitted by Lisa Letto, Coordinator, Nutrition Resource and Volunteer Centre, College of Pharmacy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/plant-flowers-in-others-gardens-and-your-life-becomes-a-bouquet/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/you-of-canada-are-building-a-magnificent-record-of-achievement-my/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) ## More by Auston Matthews > [My dad is a competitive guy. That's a part of me. It's just a certain drive, I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/my-dad-is-a-competitive-guy-that-s-a-part-of-me-it-s-just-a-certain/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I think everyone wants to get drafted as high as they can. That's the way I look at it as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/i-think-everyone-wants-to-get-drafted-as-high-as-they-can-that-s-the/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [My mom makes a great tortilla soup. I've never met anybody that didn't like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/my-mom-makes-a-great-tortilla-soup-i-ve-never-met-anybody-that-didn-t/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [The captaincy in hockey in general is a huge honor, but especially in Toronto.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/the-captaincy-in-hockey-in-general-is-a-huge-honor-but-especially-in/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I want to score, I want to produce and do those things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/i-want-to-score-i-want-to-produce-and-do-those-things/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I mean obviously the 200-foot game, play without the puck, that could always use improving, as well as everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/i-mean-obviously-the-200-foot-game-play-without-the-puck-that-could/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [The outreach of people in Arizona, young kids, families, just reaching out to me and my parents at the rink or wherever, it's always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/the-outreach-of-people-in-arizona-young-kids-families-just-reaching/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I'm going to have ups and downs and what I have to do is work that much harder and push through the tough parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/i-m-going-to-have-ups-and-downs-and-what-i-have-to-do-is-work-that/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I think it'd be amazing to see a pre-season game in Mexico.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/i-think-it-d-be-amazing-to-see-a-pre-season-game-in-mexico/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I like kind of picking out specific players and watching what they do, whether it's in pregame skate or warmups or in the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/i-like-kind-of-picking-out-specific-players-and-watching-what-they-do/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [In Canada, hockey is the dominant thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/in-canada-hockey-is-the-dominant-thing/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I think a lot of the traditional things are what makes hockey so great and all of us really appreciate and respect that, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/i-think-a-lot-of-the-traditional-things-are-what-makes-hockey-so/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I think I have an inner drive that separates me from the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/i-think-i-have-an-inner-drive-that-separates-me-from-the-rest/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I want to make the team better and get better each day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/i-want-to-make-the-team-better-and-get-better-each-day/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [Individual awards are great, but I don't think there's quite the satisfaction compared to winning with the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/individual-awards-are-great-but-i-don-t-think-there-s-quite-the/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) [Explore all 98 Auston Matthews quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) ## More Canada quotes > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/you-of-canada-are-building-a-magnificent-record-of-achievement-my/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Plant flowers in others' gardens and your life becomes a bouquet! Submitted by Lisa Letto, Coordinator, Nutrition Resource and Volunteer Centre, College of Pharmacy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/plant-flowers-in-others-gardens-and-your-life-becomes-a-bouquet/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [Our country has shown a lack of will to resist its own disintegration .. . Canada is practically the only country left in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/northrop-frye/our-country-has-shown-a-lack-of-will-to-resist-its-own-disintegration/) [Northrop Frye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/northrop-frye/) > [“Not very long ago I was driving with my husband on the back roads of Grey County, which is to the north and east…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/not-very-long-ago-i-was-driving-with-my-husband-on-the-back-roads-of/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [Purchasing items made in the U.S. for our stores here or Canadian goods for our stores in Canada makes good business sense because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-mcmillon/purchasing-items-made-in-the-u-s-for-our-stores-here-or-canadian/) [Doug McMillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-mcmillon/) > [One of the things that I miss about Canada is that even the strangers, you have an immediate rapport, there's just an understanding that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/one-of-the-things-that-i-miss-about-canada-is-that-even-the-strangers/) [Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/) > [I've never been invited to do an exhibition or do a talk in England, except once, about 10 years ago. I've given talks all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-wildsmith/i-ve-never-been-invited-to-do-an-exhibition-or-do-a-talk-in-england/) [Brian Wildsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-wildsmith/) > [Canada has become such a staging area for Chinese money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kwan/canada-has-become-such-a-staging-area-for-chinese-money/) [Kevin Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kwan/) > [“To be honest, it's a real relief to go to Canada where I can be among my relatives. Just the kind of break I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-puddicombe/to-be-honest-it-s-a-real-relief-to-go-to-canada-where-i-can-be-among/) [Ken Puddicombe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-puddicombe/) > [When I left Canada for Bayern, people said, 'You'll never make it. You'll be back in a year.' I stopped going to school because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-hargreaves/when-i-left-canada-for-bayern-people-said-you-ll-never-make-it-you-ll/) [Owen Hargreaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-hargreaves/) > [LEGO has announced that they are shutting down their U.S. factory and moving it to Canada. LEGO employees say it's their fault because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/lego-has-announced-that-they-are-shutting-down-their-u-s-factory-and/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [It's so Canada. On some level, you laugh, but on another level, it's just depressing. We pride ourselves: We're not like the bad old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-backhouse/it-s-so-canada-on-some-level-you-laugh-but-on-another-level-it-s-just/) [Constance Backhouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-backhouse/) > [The movement across Canada to fight toxic chemicals is a women's movement. It's a concern about health; it's very intimate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/the-movement-across-canada-to-fight-toxic-chemicals-is-a-women-s/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [I grew up working in Canada so everything was low budget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-page/i-grew-up-working-in-canada-so-everything-was-low-budget/) [Ellen Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-page/) [Browse all 1,873 Canada quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canada/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think I learned a lot just playing against Canada and Russia. 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