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, a Canadian professional ice hockey player, serves as the centre and captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL. He was drafted first overall by the Penguins in 2005. Known as "Sid the Kid" and dubbed "The Next One", he is considered one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

September 2016: Gretzky Praises Crosby as the Best Player

In September 2016, Wayne Gretzky declared that Sidney Crosby had proven himself to be the best player in the game, especially in important matches. Gretzky emphasized Crosby's consistent high performance.

October 2016: Lemieux Praises Crosby's Complete Game

In October 2016, Mario Lemieux lauded Sidney Crosby as a complete player, highlighting his improved defensive skills over the previous couple of years. Lemieux praised Crosby's ability to play both sides of the puck effectively.

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

On January 27, 2017, Sidney Crosby was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history during a ceremony at the All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, solidifying his status as one of the league's all-time greats.

June 2017: Crosby Voted Greatest Canadian Athlete of the 21st Century

In June 2017, Sidney Crosby was voted by Canadians as the greatest athlete of the 21st century in a survey conducted by Sportsnet, reflecting his immense popularity and impact in Canada.

March 2018: Crosby Voted 'Most Difficult to Play Against' by NHLPA

In March 2018, a poll conducted by the NHLPA of over 500 players voted Sidney Crosby as 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", acknowledging his exceptional skill and leadership.

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, recognizing his significant contributions to the province and his overall athletic achievements.

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

In April 2018, an article in The Washington Post featured players, teammates, and coaches emphasizing Sidney Crosby's work ethic and commitment to greatness as key factors in his enduring success. His natural talent combined with his dedication has allowed him to remain at the top of the NHL.

March 2019: Sullivan Calls Crosby 'Best 200-Foot Player'

In March 2019, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan described Sidney Crosby as the "best 200-foot player in the game" and the "heartbeat" of the Penguins, acknowledging Crosby's all-around impact and importance to the team.

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

In March 2019, an anonymous survey conducted by The Athletic revealed that Sidney Crosby was regarded as the best all-around NHL player by his peers, highlighting his comprehensive skill set and impact on the game.

September 2019: Jersey Retired

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.

2022: Crosby deemed potentially dominant 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."