When it comes to hockey legends, few are as revered as Sidney Crosby. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain has been a dominant force in the NHL for over a decade, and his accomplishments both on and off the ice are unparalleled. This year, Crosby was selected to his ninth All-Star game, and it served as a reminder of just how much of an inspiration he is to the younger generations of hockey players.
At this year’s All-Star game, Crosby was joined by the Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady, who were nine and seven respectively when they first met Crosby at the 2007 All-Star game in Dallas. The brothers recreated a photo they had taken with Crosby back then, and Matthew, who was named MVP of the game, said they were ‘in awe’ of him.
Other All-Stars, like Johnny Gaudreau, Connor McDavid and Mitch Marner, spoke of Crosby with reverence, and Marner said he had a couple of Crosby Reebok sticks growing up. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Andrei Svechnikov, both fellow Russians, called Crosby a ‘legend’, and Nick Suzuki, the 23-year-old captain of the Montreal Canadiens, said he was humbled by how down to earth Crosby was.
It’s clear that Crosby is a role model for the younger generations of hockey players, and Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Armour said it’s important for the younger players to see the example set by Crosby, Ovechkin and other NHL veterans.
Crosby has been a dominant force in the NHL since his rookie season, and it’s clear that his legacy will live on long after he hangs up his skates. He’s a true leader in the hockey world, both on and off the ice, and his ninth All-Star game was just another reminder of what a great role model he is.
Source: www.nhl.com