How Sidney Crosby Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Sidney Crosby across different fields.

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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1980: Wayne Gretzky's Teenage Scoring Lead

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

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.

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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

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."