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Sidney Crosby

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230px
Position Center
Shoots Left
Nickname The Next One, Darryl,
Sid the Kid, Sir Sidney
Height
Weight 		5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
NHL Team Pittsburgh Penguins
Nationality Image:Flag of Canada.svg Canada
Born August 7, 1987,
Dartmouth, NS, CAN
NHL Draft 1st overall, 2005
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pro Career 2005 – present

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Sidney Patrick Crosby (born August 7, 1987 in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia) 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 as the Sidney Crosby Lottery.<ref name="year in review">2005 Year in Review. CBC (2005-12-20). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref>

Contents

[edit] Career

[edit] Early years

Sidney Crosby began playing hockey on his own in his basement at two years old, and learned to skate at three.<ref name="halifax">Sidney Crosby Signs Three-Year Deal with Frito Lay's and Pepsi. Wire Services (2006-05-25). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref> At the age of seven, he gave his first newspaper interview.<ref name="sid facts">Sidney Crosby. Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref> At fourteen, he appeared on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Hockey Day in Canada.<ref name="halifax"/> In that same year, he also led his AAA team, the Dartmouth Subways, to the national championship. He won both the MVP Award and the Top Scorer Award after scoring 14 points in just five games.<ref name="sid facts"/>

[edit] Junior career

Crosby was selected first overall in the midget draft by the Rimouski Océanic of the QMJHL.<ref name="sid facts"/> In his first game in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, he scored one goal and added two assists.<ref name="first qmjhl game">Crosby gets 3 points in QMJHL opener. Canadian Press (2004-09-19). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref> 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.<ref name="chl allstar"> Crosby headlines CHL All-Star team. Canadian Press (2004-05-21). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref> 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.<ref name="chl allstar"/> He also led the QMJHL with 54 goals and 81 assists in only 59 regular season games.<ref name="chl allstar"/>

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.<ref name = "wha">Crosby rejects $7.5M offer from WHA. TSN (2004-08-25). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref>

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.<ref name="sid facts"/>

[edit] NHL career

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.<ref name="year in review"/>

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.<ref name="mario retires">Mario Lemieux retires from hockey. CBC (2006-01-26). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref>

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.<ref name="first game">Crosby nets first point in loss to Devils. TSN (2005-10-05). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref> He also drew his first career penalty in the same game, serving two minutes in the second period for hooking Zach Parise.<ref name="first game"> Crosby's first NHL goal came on October 8, 2005, against goaltender Hannu Toivonen of the Boston Bruins and was assisted by linemates Mark Recchi and Zigmund Palffy.<ref name="first goal">Crosby scores first NHL goal as Pittsburgh loses. NHL.com (2005-10-08). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref> On December 16, 2005, Michel Therrien named Crosby as an alternate captain for the Penguins. The move drew criticism from from some hockey pundits, including Don Cherry, who claimed that Crosby had done nothing to earn the position.<ref name="cherry captain">Crosby doesn't deserve 'A': Cherry. Canadian Press (2005-12-17). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref>

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.<ref name="crosby lesson">Campigotto, Jess (2006-09-27). The education of Sidney Crosby. CBC Sports. Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref> 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.

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.<ref name="penguins iihf">Sager, Joe (2006-05-23). CROSBY CONTINUED TO RE-WRITE HISTORY AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref> 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.<ref name="penguins iihf"/>

On October 28, 2006, Crosby netted his first NHL hat trick in an 8-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.<ref name = "hat trick">Crosby hat trick sparks Penguins rout. Associated Press (2006-10-28). Retrieved on 2006-11-17.</ref>

[edit] Criticism

Like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux before him, Crosby has been accused by opposing players and coaches of taking dives and complaining.

This may have started when Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher delivered a forearm shiver to Crosby's mouth, and later hit Crosby in the mouth with his stick. Neither play resulted in a penalty, but when Crosby re-entered the game later and complained of more abuse which he thought should have resulted in a Flyers penalty, he was sent to the penalty box. In overtime during the same game he scored the game winning goal with 47 seconds remaining. <ref>Crosby, Ovechkin vie for bragging rights</ref> After the game, Crosby received emergency medical care and dental work. Three games later, Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock insinuated that Crosby was diving and later during the game, Flyers star Peter Forsberg made a "dive" motion with his hands.<ref>Penguins' Crosby says dive talk is just jive talk</ref> In the beginning of the 2006-07 season, New York Islanders players and coaches said that Crosby dives to draw penalties and gets special treatment from officials.<ref>Kids calling all the shots?. Newsday.com. Retrieved on October 21, 2006.</ref>

In April 2006 during a game against the New Jersey Devils, Crosby received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, moments after taking a penalty for hooking and having his stick tossed away. Crosby commented on the situation in light of his being perceived as a complainer, saying, "It's known if I say something, I'm gonna get [criticized]."

[edit] Jerseys

Crosby's Team Canada red jersey from the gold-medal game at the World Junior Hockey Championship was stolen by an Air Canada baggage handler in January 2005. It was recovered about a week later in a mailbox. His white jersey from the tournament was auctioned off for $22,100 for youth hockey charities and South Asian tsunami relief.

For the second time in less than a year, one of Crosby's game-worn sweaters went missing. This time, it was the jersey he wore in his first NHL game against the New Jersey Devils. It was reportedly stolen from the luggage of Sidney’s father 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.

The jersey Crosby wore in his third NHL game topped the bidding of an online jersey auction for Hurricane Katrina relief at $21,010. The second-highest jersey bid came down to little under $8,000.

The black Team Canada jersey that Crosby wore in the 2006 World Championships game against Team USA was auctioned off for $15,087.87.

[edit] Personal life

Sidney Crosby was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1987 to Troy and Trina Crosby. His sister, Taylor, is nine years younger than him. Sid's father had been drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1984, but never played.<ref name = "halifax"/> His family currently resides in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. His agent is Pat Brisson (IMG).

[edit] Endorsements

Crosby has endorsement deals with Reebok, Sher-Wood, Telus, Upper Deck, and PepsiCo, which includes branches Gatorade, Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola.

[edit] Accolades

NHL

  • All-Rookie Team - 2006
  • Rookie of the Month - October 2005

Ice Hockey World Championships

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

CHL

QMJHL

[edit] Career statistics

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM +/- GP G A Pts PIM
2002-03 Shattuck USHS 57 72 90 162 104 -- -- -- -- -- --
2003-04 Rimouski QMJHL 59 54 81 135 74 -- 9 7 9 16 10
2004-05 Rimouski QMJHL 62 66 102 168 84 -- 13 14 17 31 16
2005-06 Pittsburgh NHL 81 39 63 102 110 -1 -- -- -- -- --
2006-07 Pittsburgh NHL 22 10 24 34 24 +11 -- -- -- -- --
NHL Totals 103 49 87 136 134 +10 -- -- -- -- --

[edit] International play

Played for Canada in:

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
Senior Int'l Totals 24 16 14 30 18

[edit] Trivia

This article or section does not cite its references or sources.
You can help Wikipedia by introducing appropriate citations. 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.
  • Lived with Mario Lemieux's family during his rookie year in Pittsburgh.
  • Used his mother's clothes dryer as a goal when he played in the basement of their home. The dryer is now dented beyond recognition without a button left on it. They have since gotten a new one.
  • His number is 87 due to his birthday being August 7, 1987 (8/7/87).
  • His superstitions include putting his equipment on the right-hand side first, and after his stick is taped no one is allowed to touch it.
  • Was a Montreal Canadiens fan as a child.
  • He has been best friends with Jack Johnson ever since they played together at Shattuck-Saint Mary's.
  • Claims his most memorable hockey moment was winning the 2005 World Junior Championship with Team Canada.
  • May list 3 Doors Down as his favorite musical group. He also enjoys country music.
  • Lists Vince Vaughn as his favorite actor, Eva Mendes as his favorite actress, and Wedding Crashers as his favorite movie.
  • Lists Steve Yzerman as his hockey idol.
  • His favorite sport other than hockey is baseball.
  • Player that he hates playing against most is Denis Gauthier.

[edit] References

<references/>

[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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