Sidney Crosby

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Position Center
Shoots Left
Nickname The Next One,
Darryl,[1]
Sid the Kid,[2]
Sir Sidney,[3]
Wizard of Croz[4]
Height
Weight		 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
NHL Team Pittsburgh Penguins
Nationality Flag of Canada Canada
Born August 7, 1987 (age 19),
Cole Harbour, NS, CAN
NHL Draft 1st overall, 2005
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pro Career 2005 – present

Sidney Patrick Crosby (born August 7, 1987) is a professional ice hockey player for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. He was the first pick of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and one of the leading scorers during the 2005-06 NHL season finishing 6th in scoring with 102 points (39 G, 63 A). Crosby was one of the most highly regarded draft picks in modern hockey, leading many to refer to the 2005 Draft Lottery as the 'Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes'.[5] He is the current leader for the 2006-07 NHL season in overall points.

Contents

[edit] Early career and junior hockey

Sidney Crosby began playing hockey on his own in his basement at two years old, and learned to skate at three.[6] At the age of seven, he gave his first newspaper interview.[7] At fourteen, he appeared on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Hockey Day in Canada.[6] In that same year, he also led his Midget AAA team, the Dartmouth Subways, to the national championship game. He won both the MVP Award and the Top Scorer Award after scoring 18 points in five games.[7]

Crosby was selected first overall in the midget draft by the Rimouski Océanic of the QMJHL.[7] In his first game in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, he scored one goal and added two assists.[8] He was named Player of the Week for two consecutive weeks at the start of the season, and eventually won the honour four more times as the season progressed. He was named Player of the Month three times, and CHL Player of the Week three times.[9] By the end of the season, he had been named Player of the Year, Top Rookie, and Top Scorer- the first QMJHL player to earn all three honours at once.[9] He also led the QMJHL with 54 goals and 81 assists in only 59 regular season games.[9]

In August 2004, Crosby turned down $7.5 million over three years to play for the Hamilton franchise of the World Hockey Association, claiming that he was not ready to leave the junior league yet.[10]

During his amateur years, Crosby caught the attention of several journalists and other players, including Wayne Gretzky himself. When Gretzky was asked if he thought anyone could break his records, he answered that Sidney Crosby could, and added that Crosby was the best player he had seen since Mario Lemieux.[7]

Crosby was only the fifth player to represent Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships as a 16-year old (in 2003). This feat was also accomplished by Jay Bouwmeester, Jason Spezza, Eric Lindros, and Wayne Gretzky, previously.

[edit] NHL career

Crosby on the ice
Crosby on the ice

Sidney Crosby was selected first overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 30, 2005. Due to the labour stoppage in the previous season, the 2005 draft would be conducted via a weighted lottery based on each team's playoff appearances and draft lottery victories in the last four years. This lottery system led to the draft being popularly referred to as the Sidney Crosby Lottery or the Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes. [5]

Upon his entry into the NHL, Crosby had the opportunity to play alongside hockey great Mario Lemieux. Unfortunately, Lemieux was forced to retire after an injury-plagued season, ultimately due to being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.[11]

Crosby played his first professional NHL game on October 5, 2005 against the New Jersey Devils, and registered an assist on the team's first goal of the season, scored by Mark Recchi in a 5-1 loss.[12] He also took his first career penalty in the same game, serving two minutes in the second period for hooking Zach Parise.[12] On December 16, 2005, Michel Therrien named Crosby as an alternate captain for the Penguins. The move drew criticism from some hockey pundits, including Don Cherry, who claimed that Crosby had done nothing to earn the position.[13]

On April 13, 2006, after scoring one goal and three assists in a 5-3 win over the New York Rangers, Crosby broke Mario Lemieux's franchise record for assists by a rookie. Lemieux recorded 57 assists in his rookie year; Crosby finished with 63. Four days later against the New York Islanders, Crosby scored his 100th point at the last home game of the season. He finished with 102, two ahead of Lemieux's 1984-85 franchise record for points by a rookie. Crosby is the youngest player in the history of the NHL to score 100 points in a single season, and only the seventh rookie ever to hit the benchmark.[14] Crosby also is the first NHL rookie to record 100 points and 100 penalty minutes in one season. Dale Hawerchuk, who entered the league at age 18 for Winnipeg in 1981-82, is the only player to have had more points (103) before turning 19 or in the year they were drafted.

Overall, Crosby finished sixth in the NHL scoring race and seventh in the NHL in assists. Among Canadian NHL players, he trailed only Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley. By comparison, 2004 NHL Entry Draft top pick, 20-year-old Alexander Ovechkin, also in his rookie year, finished the 2005-06 season with 106 points.

In 2006, Crosby finished second in Calder Memorial Trophy voting for Rookie of the Year to Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin.

On October 28, 2006, Crosby netted his first NHL hat trick in an 8-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.[15] Just over 6 weeks later, on December 13, Crosby recorded his first six point game of his career, which was also against the Flyers (1 goal, 5 assists).[16] After that game, he led the NHL in scoring, becoming the first teenager to do so since Wayne Gretzky in 1980.

On January 24, 2007, Sidney Crosby became the youngest player ever to start in a NHL All-Star Game at the age of only 19. He was voted in by the fans to be a starter for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team.

On March 2, 2007, Crosby became the youngest player to reach the 200 point career plateau, with a goal in the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes. Crosby reached 200 points in his 142nd game; only Wayne Gretzky (117), Mario Lemieux (128) and Peter Stastny (131) scored 200 points in fewer games from the beginning of their NHL career.

On March 10, 2007, Crosby scored his 100th point of the 2006-2007 season, making him the youngest player to ever score 100 points or more in two consecutive seasons.

[edit] Criticism

Crosby has been accused by opposing players and coaches of taking dives and complaining, which has been attributed to his youth.[17] During his rookie campaign, he led both his team and all NHL rookies in penalty minutes, and this magnified his reputation for complaining to NHL officials.[18] Hockey analyst Kelly Hrudey compared Crosby to Gretzky, who had a similar reputation as a "whiner" in his youth.[18]

[edit] Jerseys

Crosby's jerseys have gone missing or been sold for high prices at auctions several times. In January 2005, his red Canada jersey from the World Junior Hockey Championship was stolen by an Air Canada baggage handler when Crosby was passing through Montreal.[19] It was recovered about a week later in a mailbox. His white jersey from the tournament was being auctioned, but was temporarily delisted while the red one was missing.[20] It was eventually sold for $22,100, which went to youth hockey charities and 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake relief.

Less than a year later, one of Crosby's game-worn sweaters went missing.[21] The jersey he wore in his first NHL game against the New Jersey Devils went missing from his father's luggage during a flight from Pittsburgh to Buffalo. The jersey was later found at the Pittsburgh International Airport between a piece of equipment and a stairwell.

Crosby's jersey from his third NHL game was the highest-selling NHL jersey in an auction for Hurricane Katrina relief - it sold for $21,010.[7] The black Canada jersey that Crosby wore in the 2006 World Championship game against the United States was auctioned for $15,087.87.[citation needed]

[edit] Personal life

Sidney Crosby was born in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia in 1987 to Troy and Trina Crosby. His sister, Taylor, is nine years younger than he is. His father was a goaltender who played for the Verdun Junior Canadiens in the QMJHL and in the 1985 Memorial Cup. Troy was drafted 240th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 1984, but never played at the NHL level.[6] While growing up, Sidney, like his father, was a fan of the Montreal Canadiens, who came up fifth during the draft lottery.

His family currently resides in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. During the season Sidney lives with the Lemieux family in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.

[edit] Endorsements

Crosby has endorsement deals with Reebok, Sher-Wood, Telus, Upper Deck, Tim Horton's Timbits Hockey and PepsiCo, which includes branches Gatorade, Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola. His Reebok deal, which he signed at age 17, is worth $500,000 a year along with $150,000 a year for using Sher-Wood sticks.

[edit] Career statistics

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2001-02 Dartmouth Subways MAAA 74 95 98 193 114 7 11 13 24 0
2002-03 Shattuck St. Mary's USHS 57 72 90 162 104 -- -- -- -- --
2003-04 Rimouski Oceanic QMJHL 59 54 81 135 74 9 7 9 16 10
2004-05 Rimouski Oceanic QMJHL 62 66 102 168 84 13 14 17 31 16
2005-06 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 81 39 63 102 110 -- -- -- -- --
NHL Totals 81 39 63 102 110 -- -- -- -- --


[edit] Records

  • Pittsburgh Penguins' franchise record for assists in a season by a rookie (63)
  • Pittsburgh Penguins' franchise record for points in a season by a rookie (102)
  • First rookie to record 100 points and 100 penalty minutes in a season
  • Youngest player in NHL history to record 100 points in a season
  • Youngest player in NHL history to record 200 career points (19 years and 207 days)
  • Youngest player in NHL history to have 2 consectutive 100 point seasons.[1]
  • Youngest player to be voted to the NHL All-Star Game[22]
  • Youngest player in NHL history to record 2 100 point seasons [2]

[edit] Awards

[edit] NHL

  • All-Rookie Team - 2006
  • Rookie of the Month - October 2005
  • All-Star Team Starter - 2007
  • Mark Messier Leadership Award - Jan. 2007

[edit] Ice Hockey World Championships

  • World Championship All-Star Team - 2006
  • World Championship Best Forward - 2006
  • World Championship Leading Scorer - 2006

[edit] Canadian Hockey League

[edit] Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

[edit] International play

Medal record
World Junior Championships
Silver 2004 Canada
Gold 2005 Canada

From May 5 – May 21, 2006, Crosby was an alternate captain in the 2006 World Championships, where he became the youngest player ever to win a World Championship scoring title.[23] He tallied a tournament-best eight goals and eight assists in nine games. Crosby was named the tournament's top forward and to the competition's all-star team.[23]

Crosby has played for Canada in:

[edit] International statistics

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
2004 Canada WJC 6 2 3 5 4
2005 Canada WJC 7 6 3 9 4
2006 Canada WC 9 8 8 16 10
Junior Int'l Totals 13 8 6 14 8
Senior Int'l Totals 9 8 8 16 10

[edit] Trivia

Info icon This section does not cite its references or sources.
Please help improve this article by introducing appropriate citations. (help, get involved!) This article has been tagged since November 2006.
  • In time for his rookie season, Gare Joyce issued a biography, Sidney Crosby: Taking the Game by Storm.
  • Appeared on The Tonight Show on August 4, 2005, five days after being drafted by the Penguins.
  • His number is 87 due to his birthday being August 7, 1987 (8/7/87).
  • Claims his most memorable hockey moment was winning the 2005 World Junior Championship with Canada.[1]
  • May list 3 Doors Down as his favourite musical group.[1] He also enjoys country music.
  • Lists Vince Vaughn as his favourite actor, Eva Mendes as his favourite actress, and Wedding Crashers as his favourite movie.[1]
  • Lists Steve Yzerman as his hockey idol.[1]
  • Was drafted first overall in four separate drafts.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Players: Sidney Crosby, Notes. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  2. ^ Sid the kid. Accessed 2007-18-03
  3. ^ Sir Sidney. Accessed 2007-18-03. This is a nickname used primarily by Mike Lange.
  4. ^ Sports Book Review
  5. ^ a b 2005 Year in Review. CBC (2005-12-20). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  6. ^ a b c Sidney Crosby Signs Three-Year Deal with Frito Lay's and Pepsi. Wire Services (2006-05-25). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  7. ^ a b c d e Sidney Crosby. Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  8. ^ Crosby gets 3 points in QMJHL opener. Canadian Press (2004-09-19). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  9. ^ a b c Crosby headlines CHL All-Star team. Canadian Press (2004-05-21). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  10. ^ Crosby rejects $7.5M offer from WHA. TSN (2004-08-25). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  11. ^ Mario Lemieux retires from hockey. CBC (2006-01-26). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  12. ^ a b Crosby nets first point in loss to Devils. TSN (2005-10-05). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  13. ^ Crosby doesn't deserve 'A': Cherry. Canadian Press (2005-12-17). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  14. ^ Campigotto, Jess (2006-09-27). The education of Sidney Crosby. CBC Sports. Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  15. ^ Crosby hat trick sparks Penguins rout. Associated Press (2006-10-28). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  16. ^ "Crosby's six points leads Pens to win", Associated Press, 2006-12-13. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
  17. ^ Basu, Arpon (2006-03-22). Don't forget, Sid's still a Kid. thefourthperiod.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-24.
  18. ^ a b Campigotto, Jesse (2006-09-27). The education of Sidney Crosby. CBC Sports. Retrieved on 2006-12-24.
  19. ^ "US Airways finds sweater Crosby wore in first game", ESPN, 2006-10-11. Retrieved on 2006-12-24.
  20. ^ "Crosby jersey nets $22,100 in auction", CBC Sports, 2005-01-20. Retrieved on 2006-12-24.
  21. ^ Molarni, Dave. "Crosby's jersey found in stairwell at airport", 2005-10-12. Retrieved on 2006-12-24.
  22. ^ "Crosby becomes youngest player voted to start in All-Star Game", Associated Press and Tribune Review, 2007-01-10. Retrieved on 2007-01-11.
  23. ^ a b Sager, Joe (2006-05-23). CROSBY CONTINUED TO RE-WRITE HISTORY AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. Retrieved on 2006-11-17.

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Alexander Ovechkin		 1st Overall Pick in NHL Entry Draft
2005		 Succeeded by
Erik Johnson
Preceded by
Corey Locke		 CHL Player of the Year
2004, 2005		 Succeeded by
Alexander Radulov
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