History of Sidney Crosby in Timeline

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Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby, nicknamed "Sid the Kid", is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Drafted first overall in 2005, Crosby was a highly touted prospect and is widely considered one of hockey's greatest players. He was born and raised in Halifax and has achieved considerable success in the NHL.

1974: Bernie Parent's Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1974, it marked the third player to win consecutive Conn Smythe Trophy after Bernie Parent (1974, 1975).

1975: Bernie Parent's Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1975, it marked the third player to win consecutive Conn Smythe Trophy after Bernie Parent (1974, 1975).

1976: Reference to Darryl Sittler's game

In 2003, after scoring eight points in his first exhibition game with the Rimouski Océanic, Crosby's teammates nicknamed him "Darryl" in reference to Darryl Sittler's ten-point NHL game in 1976.

1980: Wayne Gretzky's Teenage Scoring Lead

In 1980, Wayne Gretzky was the last teenager before Crosby to lead the NHL in scoring.

1984: Drafted by Montreal Canadiens

In 1984, Sidney Crosby's father, Troy, was drafted 240th overall by the Montreal Canadiens.

1985: President's Cup Win

In 1985, Sidney Crosby's father, Troy, helped the Verdun Junior Canadiens win the President's Cup.

August 7, 1987: Sidney Crosby's Birth

On August 7, 1987, Sidney Patrick Crosby was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is now a celebrated Canadian professional ice hockey player.

1991: Mario Lemieux's Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1991, it marked the third player to win consecutive Conn Smythe Trophy after Mario Lemieux (1991, 1992).

1992: Mario Lemieux's Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1992, it marked the third player to win consecutive Conn Smythe Trophy after Mario Lemieux (1991, 1992).

1992: Penguins Reach Stanley Cup Final

In 1992, the Penguins reached the final round for the first time since 1992

1997: Red Wings Stanley Cup

In 1997, it marked the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions since the 1997–98 Detroit Red Wings.

2001: MJAHL Draft

In 2001, Sidney Crosby was drafted by the Truro Bearcats in the MJAHL Draft as a 13-year-old.

2001: Penguins' Playoff Appearance

In 2001, the Penguins last made a playoff appearance before Crosby's arrival.

2002: Appeared on CBC's Hockey Day in Canada

During his midget season in 2002, Sidney Crosby appeared on the CBC's Hockey Day in Canada telecast.

2002: Second-Place Finish at Air Canada Cup

In 2002, Sidney Crosby led the Dartmouth Subways to a second-place finish at the Air Canada Cup, scoring a combined 217 regular season and playoff points.

2003: Drafted by Rimouski Océanic

In 2003, Sidney Crosby was selected first overall in the Midget Draft by the Rimouski Océanic of the QMJHL.

July 17, 2004: Drafted by World Hockey Association

On July 17, 2004, Sidney Crosby was selected first overall by Toronto in the World Hockey Association entry draft.

2004: NHL Lockout

Due to the labor lockout that suspended the entire 2004–05 NHL season, positioning for the 2005 draft was conducted via a weighted lottery.

2004: Alexander Ovechkin Drafted

In 2004, Alexander Ovechkin was the first-overall pick by the Washington Capitals, beginning a rivalry with Crosby that would define the league for over a decade.

2004: Return to the Océanic

In 2004, Sidney Crosby returned to the Océanic for the 2004-05 season.

2004: Auction of Crosby jersey raises funds for charity

In 2004, Sidney Crosby's white jersey from the World Junior Hockey Championship was auctioned to raise funds for youth hockey charities and Indian Ocean earthquake relief, eventually selling for CA$22,100.

January 2005: Crosby's Canada jersey stolen and recovered

In January 2005, Sidney Crosby's red Canada jersey from the World Junior Hockey Championship was stolen by an Air Canada baggage handler in Montreal but later recovered in a mailbox.

Men's #99 Gretzky Labatt Team Coupe Canada Cup Ice Hockey Jersey Stitched Size S Red
Men's #99 Gretzky Labatt Team Coupe Canada Cup Ice Hockey Jersey Stitched Size S Red

July 30, 2005: Drafted by Pittsburgh Penguins

On July 30, 2005, Sidney Crosby was selected first overall in the NHL draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

September 2005: Crosby's Penguins jersey top seller

From September 2005 to February 2008, Sidney Crosby's number 87 Pittsburgh Penguins jersey was the top seller on the NHL's website.

Facsimile Autographed Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Black Reprint Laser Auto Hockey Jersey Size Men's XL
Facsimile Autographed Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Black Reprint Laser Auto Hockey Jersey Size Men's XL

October 5, 2005: NHL Debut

On October 5, 2005, Sidney Crosby made his NHL debut against the New Jersey Devils, recording an assist on Mark Recchi's goal in a 5–1 loss.

December 15, 2005: Michel Therrien Appointed Coach

On December 15, 2005, Michel Therrien replaced Ed Olczyk as head coach of the Penguins.

2005: Crosby lives with Lemieux family

From 2005 until 2010, Crosby lived with Mario Lemieux's family in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.

2005: Crosby's Rookie Year

In 2005, Sidney Crosby debuted as a rookie and was widely regarded as the NHL's best player.

2005: NHL Entry Draft

In 2005, Sidney Crosby entered the NHL entry draft and was listed first overall in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau and International Scouting Services' respective rankings of prospects.

2005: Memorial Cup Final

In 2005, Sidney Crosby led his club, the Rimouski Océanic, to the Memorial Cup final.

2005: Drafted by Pittsburgh Penguins

In 2005, Sidney Crosby was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL entry draft, marking the beginning of his NHL career.

2005: World Junior Championships Gold

In 2005, Sidney Crosby won gold at the World Junior Championships, representing Canada.

2005: Drafting Crosby changes fortunes of Pittsburgh Penguins

In 2005, drafting Sidney Crosby, considered a generational talent, changed the fortunes of the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins, helping to secure funding for a new arena and ending speculation that the franchise would relocate.

2005: High School Graduation

In 2005, while playing for the Rimouski Océanic, Sidney Crosby graduated from Harrison Trimble High School in Moncton, New Brunswick.

June 2006: Crosby Buys First House in Halifax, Nova Scotia

In June 2006, Sidney Crosby bought his first house on Grand Lake in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

October 28, 2006: First NHL Hat-Trick

On October 28, 2006, Sidney Crosby scored his first NHL hat-trick in an 8–2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

January 2007: Mark Messier Leadership Award

In January 2007, Sidney Crosby received the Mark Messier Leadership Award. This was the first year that the Mark Messier Leadership Award was presented monthly.

May 31, 2007: Named Team Captain

On May 31, 2007, Sidney Crosby was named the team captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the youngest team captain in NHL history at 19 years, 9 months, and 24 days old.

June 2007: Awards Show Hat-Trick

In June 2007, at the NHL's annual awards show, Sidney Crosby won the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award, in addition to his previously clinched Art Ross Trophy.

July 10, 2007: Contract Extension

On July 10, 2007, Sidney Crosby signed a five-year, $43.5 million contract extension with the Penguins, ensuring his stay with the team through the 2012-13 season.

2007: Crosby's All-Star Game jersey earns the most money in auction

During an online auction in 2007 held by the NHL and the NHL Players Association to benefit Hockey Fights Cancer, Sidney Crosby's game-worn jersey from the first period of the 2007 All-Star Game earned the most money, selling for US$47,520.

2007: All-Star Game Participation

In 2007, Crosby participated in his first NHL All-Star Game since 2007, winning the shooting accuracy segment of the Skills Competition.

2007: Team Captaincy

In 2007, Sidney Crosby started the season with the team's captaincy.

2007: Contract Signing

In 2007, Sidney Crosby's contract signing was for $8.7 million per year, reflecting his birthdate (8/7/87).

January 18, 2008: Ankle Sprain Injury

On January 18, 2008, Sidney Crosby suffered a high ankle sprain during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, causing him to miss the 2008 All-Star Game.

February 2008: Crosby's Penguins jersey top seller

From September 2005 to February 2008, Sidney Crosby's number 87 Pittsburgh Penguins jersey was the top seller on the NHL's website.

Facsimile Autographed Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Black Reprint Laser Auto Hockey Jersey Size Men's XL
Facsimile Autographed Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Black Reprint Laser Auto Hockey Jersey Size Men's XL

March 27, 2008: Return from Injury

On March 27, 2008, Sidney Crosby returned to the Penguins' lineup after recovering from an ankle injury, helping the team defeat the New York Islanders 3–1.

October 18, 2008: 300 Career Points

On October 18, 2008, Sidney Crosby recorded one goal and three assists against the Toronto Maple Leafs, surpassing 100 goals, 200 assists, and 300 points for his career.

2008: Stanley Cup Finals

In 2008, Sidney Crosby led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they were defeated by the Detroit Red Wings.

2009: Crosby Creates the Sidney Crosby Foundation

In 2009, Sidney Crosby created the Sidney Crosby Foundation, an organization committed to helping charities benefiting children.

2009: Mark Messier Leadership Award and Maurice Richard Trophy

In 2009, Sidney Crosby received the Mark Messier Leadership Award and won the Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal scorer.

2009: Stanley Cup Victory

In 2009, Sidney Crosby won his first Stanley Cup title with the Penguins in seven games against the Detroit Red Wings, becoming the youngest NHL captain to win the Stanley Cup since 1895.

May 2010: Crosby Purchases Home in Sewickley, Pennsylvania

In May 2010, Sidney Crosby purchased his own home in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, having lived with Mario Lemieux's family in the same area from 2005 until 2010.

May 29, 2010: Crosby Signs Richest Endorsement Contract with Reebok

On May 29, 2010, Sidney Crosby signed the richest endorsement contract in NHL history with Reebok, expected to pay Crosby $1.4 million per year for five to seven years.

July 27, 2010: Skating on new ice at Consol Energy Center

On July 27, 2010, Sidney Crosby joined Mario Lemieux to be the first to skate on the new ice at the Consol Energy Center. They skated for about five minutes before being joined on the ice by a group of young hockey fans.

November 5, 2010: Start of point streak against Anaheim Ducks

On November 5, 2010, Sidney Crosby began a 25-game point streak against the Anaheim Ducks.

December 28, 2010: End of point streak against New York Islanders

On December 28, 2010, Sidney Crosby's 25-game point streak ended against the New York Islanders.

2010: Vancouver Winter Olympics Gold

At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Sidney Crosby scored the game-winning goal in overtime against the United States, securing the gold medal for Canada.

2010: Crosby at the 2010 Winter Olympics

At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, as captain and first-line centre for Canada, Sidney Crosby played with different line mates in almost every game due to the coaching staff's difficulty in finding players who could keep up with him.

2010: Crosby's Olympic gold medal stick and glove missing

Following Sidney Crosby's Olympic gold medal victory with Canada in 2010, his stick and glove were missing, prompting a CA$10,000 reward from Reebok Canada for their return. They were later found to have been misplaced.

2010: Finalist for Ted Lindsay Award

In 2010, Sidney Crosby was a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award.

January 1, 2011: Hit to the head in 2011 NHL Winter Classic

On January 1, 2011, in the 2011 NHL Winter Classic against the Washington Capitals, Sidney Crosby suffered a hit to his head from Dave Steckel.

January 3, 2011: Selected as 2011 All-Star

On January 3, 2011, Sidney Crosby was selected as a 2011 All-Star, along with teammates Evgeni Malkin, Marc-André Fleury and Kris Letang. However, due to injuries, neither Crosby nor Malkin were available to play in the All-Star Game.

November 21, 2011: Return after concussion-like symptoms

On November 21, 2011, Sidney Crosby returned to play after missing time due to concussion-like symptoms, scoring two goals and two assists against the New York Islanders.

2011: Concussion Injury

In early 2011, Sidney Crosby sustained a concussion that sidelined him for the rest of the season and most of the following season.

March 15, 2012: Return to action after concussion-like symptoms

On March 15, 2012, Sidney Crosby returned to action, recording two assists in a 5–2 win against the New York Rangers.

June 28, 2012: Contract extension with the Penguins

On June 28, 2012, the Penguins announced that Sidney Crosby agreed to a 12-year, $104.4 million contract extension to stay in Pittsburgh through the end of the 2024–25 NHL season.

September 15, 2012: Start of NHL Lockout

On September 15, 2012, the NHL lockout began.

2012: Contract with Penguins through 2012-13 Season

Sidney Crosby's contract extension on July 10, 2007 ensured his stay with the Penguins through the 2012-13 season.

January 6, 2013: End of NHL Lockout

On January 6, 2013, the NHL lockout ended, setting the stage for the regular season to begin on January 19.

2013: Second Ted Lindsay Award

In 2013, Sidney Crosby won his second career Ted Lindsay Award.

2013: Conference Finals

In 2013, the Penguins advanced to their first conference finals since 2013.

2013: Reaching 100-point mark

In the 2018-19 season Crosby reached the 100-point mark for the first time since scoring 104 points in 2013–14.

November 26, 2014: 800th Career Point

On November 26, 2014, Sidney Crosby scored his 800th career point against the Toronto Maple Leafs, becoming the sixth-fastest player in NHL history to reach that milestone.

2014: Crosby at the 2014 Winter Olympics

At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Sidney Crosby, serving as captain and first-line centre for Canada, faced similar line mate challenges as in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, struggling to find players to match his pace.

2014: Sochi Winter Olympics Gold

In 2014, Sidney Crosby captained Team Canada to win his second consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

2014: Hart Memorial and Art Ross Trophies

In 2014, Sidney Crosby won the Hart Memorial Trophy and his second career Art Ross Trophy.

2014: Taylor Crosby Joins Northeastern Huskies Hockey Team

In 2014, Sidney Crosby's younger sister, Taylor Crosby, joined the Northeastern Huskies women's ice hockey team as a freshman at Northeastern University in Boston.

April 1, 2015: 300th Career NHL Goal

On April 1, 2015, Sidney Crosby scored his 300th career NHL goal against Steve Mason of the Philadelphia Flyers.

July 2015: Jonathan Quick Praises Crosby's Backhand Shot

In July 2015, Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings praised Sidney Crosby for having "the best backhand shot" in the NHL in his column for The Players' Tribune, noting his unique technique and forearm strength.

December 12, 2015: Johnston fired as head coach

On December 12, 2015, Mike Johnston was fired as head coach of the Penguins after posting a 15–10–3 record through 28 games, which led some media outlets to speculate that Sidney Crosby's prime scoring years were behind him.

2015: Crosby Signs Endorsement Contract with Adidas

In 2015, Sidney Crosby signed a six-year endorsement contract with Adidas.

2015: Crosby Starts Hockey School and Little Penguins Program

In 2015, Sidney Crosby started a hockey school in Cole Harbour. His "Little Penguins Program" has provided free equipment and lessons to more than ten thousand local youngsters in Pittsburgh.

2015: Taylor Crosby transfers to St. Cloud State University

In 2015, Taylor Crosby, Sidney Crosby's younger sister, transferred to Minnesota's St. Cloud State University and played with the St. Cloud State Huskies women's ice hockey team.

September 2016: Crosby wins an Emmy Award

In September 2016, Sidney Crosby won an Emmy Award for his role in There's No Place Like Home With Sidney Crosby. He also won for his participation in the Merci Sidney video.

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September 2016: Gretzky calls Crosby best player in the game

In September 2016, Wayne Gretzky said of Sidney Crosby, "He's proven over and over that he's the best player in the game today. And it seems like the more important the game, the more impact that he makes on a game."

October 2016: Mario Lemieux Praises Crosby's Complete Game

In October 2016, Mario Lemieux praised Sidney Crosby for his ability to play both sides of the puck, noting his defensive improvements over the past couple of years.

2016: Concussion Diagnosis

In 2016, Crosby missed the first six games of the 2016–17 season after being diagnosed with a concussion in practice.

2016: World Cup of Hockey Gold

In 2016, Sidney Crosby captained Canada to gold in the World Cup of Hockey and was elected MVP by a unanimous vote.

2016: Stanley Cup Championship

In 2016, Sidney Crosby led Pittsburgh to a Stanley Cup championship.

2016: Playoff Berth Secured

On April 2, 2016, Crosby recorded his 600th NHL assist as the Penguins clinched their berth in the 2016 playoffs.

January 27, 2017: Crosby Named One of 100 Greatest NHL Players

On January 27, 2017, during the All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Sidney Crosby was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history.

February 16, 2017: Crosby reaches 1,000 NHL points

On February 16, 2017, Sidney Crosby registered an assist on a Chris Kunitz goal against the Winnipeg Jets to reach 1,000 NHL points in his 757th game.

June 2017: Crosby voted greatest athlete of the 21st century by Canadians

In June 2017, Sidney Crosby was voted by Canadians to be the greatest athlete of the 21st century in a survey conducted by Sportsnet.

2017: Stanley Cup Championship

In 2017, Sidney Crosby led Pittsburgh to another Stanley Cup championship, becoming the third player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy in consecutive years.

2017: Second Richard Trophy and Top 100 NHL Player

In 2017, Sidney Crosby won his second Richard Trophy and was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history.

2017: Regular Season Games

In the 2017–18 season, Crosby appeared in all 82 of Pittsburgh's regular season games for the first time in his career.

2017: Taylor Crosby graduates from St. Cloud State

Taylor Crosby, Sidney Crosby's younger sister, played with the St. Cloud State Huskies women's ice hockey team through to graduation at the end of the 2017–18 school year.

February 11, 2018: Crosby scores his 400th NHL goal

On February 11, 2018, Sidney Crosby scored his 400th NHL goal against Jake Allen of the St. Louis Blues, as the Penguins defeated the Blues 4–1.

March 2018: Crosby voted 'most difficult to play against' by NHLPA

In a poll conducted by the NHLPA in March 2018 of more than 500 players, Sidney Crosby was voted the "most difficult to play against, best role model, best team player, the player you'd want to win one game, and the player who would be a great coach upon retirement".

April 2018: Crosby Chosen as Nova Scotia's 'Best athlete ever'

In April 2018, Sidney Crosby was chosen as Nova Scotia's "Best athlete ever" by the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.

April 2018: Players and Coaches Highlight Crosby's Work Ethic

In an April 2018 article for The Washington Post, players, teammates and coaches highlighted Sidney Crosby's work ethic and strive for greatness as a major factor to his lasting success in the NHL.

December 31, 2018: 900th NHL Game

On December 31, 2018, Crosby played his 900th NHL game in a 3–2 win over the Minnesota Wild.

January 3, 2019: All-Star MVP Award

On January 3, 2019, Crosby was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game for the eighth time and won his first All-Star MVP award.

March 2019: Mike Sullivan calls Crosby 'best 200-foot player'

In March 2019, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan described Sidney Crosby as "best 200-foot player in the game" and the "heartbeat" of the Penguins.

March 2019: Crosby Regarded Best All-Around NHL Player by Peers

In March 2019, an anonymous survey conducted by The Athletic showed that Sidney Crosby was regarded as the best all-around NHL player by his peers.

September 2019: Rimouski Océanic Retired Jersey Number 87

In September 2019, the Rimouski Océanic retired jersey number 87 in Sidney Crosby's honor, and the QMJHL also retired the number for all of its teams.

2019: Jersey Number Retired

In 2019, the Océanic and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League retired Crosby's jersey number 87.

2019: Season

In the 2019–20 season, the Penguins finished fifth in the Eastern Conference in the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened.

January 2020: NHL All-Decade First Team Selection

In January 2020, Sidney Crosby was selected to the NHL All-Decade First Team.

August 7, 2020: Playoff Elimination

On August 7, 2020, Crosby's 33rd birthday, the Canadiens eliminated the Penguins in four games in the Eastern Conference qualifying round.

2020: Season

In the 2020–21 season, Crosby led the team in scoring with 62 points (24 goals and 38 assists), and was the recipient of the team's MVP Award and the Players' Player Award.

February 20, 2021: 1,000 Games with Penguins

On February 20, 2021, Crosby became the first player in Penguins history to play 1,000 games with the franchise in a 3–2 win over the New York Islanders.

2021: Finalist for Ted Lindsay Award

In 2021, Sidney Crosby was again a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award.

February 15, 2022: Crosby Scores 500th Career Goal

On February 15, 2022, Sidney Crosby achieved a significant career milestone by scoring his 500th career goal against the Philadelphia Flyers. This goal, scored on a power play, made him the 46th player in NHL history to reach this mark and the 18th to score all of them for a single team. He became the second Penguin to score 500 goals, following Mario Lemieux.

November 5, 2022: Crosby Records 900th Career Assist

On November 5, 2022, Sidney Crosby achieved another milestone by recording his 900th career assist on a goal by Jake Guentzel during a game against the Seattle Kraken. Despite the Penguins losing the game 3-2, Crosby became the sixth-fastest player in NHL history to reach 900 assists.

2022: Crosby called 'arguably North America's most dominant team-sport Winter Olympian.'

Four months before the 2022 Winter Olympics, Rob Rossi of The Athletic called Sidney Crosby "arguably North America's most dominant team-sport Winter Olympian."

November 4, 2023: Crosby skates in his 1,200th game

On November 4, 2023, Sidney Crosby played in his 1,200th NHL game, marking a significant milestone in his career. During the game, he recorded an assist in a 10–2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Crosby reflected on his enduring passion for the sport, noting that his love for hockey extends to both the triumphs and the challenges.

April 1, 2024: Crosby Averages Point Per Game for 19th Consecutive Season

On April 1, 2024, following a 5–2 win over the New York Rangers, Sidney Crosby became only the second player in NHL history, joining Wayne Gretzky, to average at least a point per game for 19 consecutive seasons, highlighting his consistent performance and contribution to his team.

June 28, 2024: Crosby Selected for Team Canada in 2025 4 Nations Face-Off

On June 28, 2024, Sidney Crosby was among the first six players chosen to represent Team Canada in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. This marked the return of full NHL participation in international tournaments since 2016. Subsequently, Crosby was named captain of the team.

September 16, 2024: Crosby signs a two-year extension with the Penguins

On September 16, 2024, Sidney Crosby signed a two-year contract extension worth $17.4 million ($8.7 million average per year) to continue playing with the Penguins, securing his place with the team for the near future.

2025: Inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off Win

In 2025, Sidney Crosby captained Canada to a championship win in the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off.

2025: Sidney Crosby Trophy Created

In 2025, the QMJHL began presenting their Rookie of the Year award as the 'Sidney Crosby Trophy'.