Sidney Crosby's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Sidney Crosby. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Sidney Crosby, nicknamed "Sid the Kid," is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Drafted first overall in 2005, he was highly touted as "The Next One" and is now considered one of hockey's all-time greats. Raised in Halifax, his exceptional talent and leadership have defined his successful NHL career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1980: Teenage Scoring Lead

In the 1980 NHL season, Wayne Gretzky became the first teenager to lead the NHL in scoring since 1980.

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 and earned MVP and Top Scorer awards at the national tournament, finishing with 24 points in 7 games.

2004: Returned to the Oceanic

Returning to the Océanic for the 2004–05 season, Crosby continued dominating the league, leading the league with 66 goals, 102 assists and 168 points over 62 games to capture his second consecutive Beliveau Trophy

2004: Rookie Scoring Lead

Throughout the 2004 NHL season, Crosby battled Alexander Ovechkin for the rookie scoring lead, finishing second to Ovechkin in points and losing to him for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

July 30, 2005: Drafted by Penguins

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

2005: Memorial Cup Final and Various Awards

In 2005, Crosby and the Océanic lost the Memorial Cup Final and Crosby earned the Ed Chynoweth Trophy. He also prepared for the 2005 NHL entry draft.

2005: Drafted First Overall by Pittsburgh Penguins

In 2005, Sidney Crosby was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL entry draft. He was highly touted and nicknamed "Sid the Kid".

2005: Gold at World Junior Championships

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

2006: Crosby competes in IIHF World Championship

In 2006, following his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby participated in the IIHF World Championship as an alternate captain for Canada. He led the tournament with eight goals and eight assists but Canada failed to medal, losing to Finland in the bronze medal game. Crosby was named the tournament's top forward and to the competition's all-star team.

January 2007: Mark Messier Leadership Award

In January 2007, Sidney Crosby received the Mark Messier Leadership Award, recognized as a "superior leader within the sport, setting a positive example through on-ice performance, motivation of team members and a dedication to the community". This was the first year that the award was presented monthly.

June 2007: Awards Show

In June 2007, Crosby won the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award, completing an off-season hat-trick in addition to his previously clinched Art Ross Trophy.

March 27, 2008: Returns After Injury

On March 27, 2008, Crosby returned from injury to help the Penguins defeat the New York Islanders 3-1.

October 18, 2008: Surpasses Benchmarks

On October 18, 2008, Crosby surpassed career benchmarks of 100 goals, 200 assists, and 300 points in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2009: Stanley Cup Title

In 2009, Crosby won his first Stanley Cup title in seven games with the Penguins defeating the Detroit Red Wings.

2009: Mark Messier Leadership Award

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

November 5, 2010: Start of 25-game point streak

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

December 28, 2010: End of 25-game point streak

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

2010: Crosby scores "Golden Goal" at 2010 Winter Olympics

At the 2010 Winter Olympics, Sidney Crosby scored the game-winning goal in overtime against the United States in the gold medal game. This goal, known as the "Golden Goal", is considered by some as "Canada's most iconic sports moment".

2010: Olympic Gold Medal

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

2010: Runner-Up for the Art Ross Trophy

In 2010, Sidney Crosby was the runner-up for the Art Ross Trophy and was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy. He also received the Mark Messier Leadership Award and scored 51 goals, winning the Maurice Richard Trophy.

January 3, 2011: Selected as a 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, but was unable to participate due to injury.

November 21, 2011: Return to play after concussion

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

March 15, 2012: Return to action after recurrence of concussion symptoms

On March 15, 2012, Sidney Crosby returned to action after experiencing a recurrence of concussion-like symptoms, recording two assists in a win against the New York Rangers.

2013: Second Ted Lindsay Award

In 2013, Sidney Crosby won his second career Ted Lindsay Award and was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

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: Second Olympic Gold Medal

In 2014, Sidney Crosby captained Team Canada and won his second consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Winter Olympics.

2014: Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award

In 2014, Sidney Crosby finished the season with a league-high 104 points, winning the Art Ross Trophy for the second time in his career. He also went on to win the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.

2014: Hart Memorial and Art Ross Trophies

In 2014, Sidney Crosby won the Hart Memorial Trophy and his second career Art Ross Trophy with 104 points, as well as his second consecutive and third overall Ted Lindsay Award.

2014: Crosby captains Canada to Olympic gold

Sidney Crosby was selected to represent Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics and was named team captain. Canada won gold, with Crosby contributing one goal and two assists. He scored his only goal in the final against Sweden.

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.

2015: Crosby captains Canada to World Championship title

In 2015, Sidney Crosby captained Canada to its first World Championship title since 2007, with the team winning all 10 games. Crosby, scoring four goals and seven assists, became the 26th member of the Triple Gold Club.

September 2016: Crosby wins Emmy Award

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

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2016: Crosby captains Canada to victory at 2016 World Cup of Hockey

In 2016, Hockey Canada appointed Sidney Crosby as captain for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Crosby led the tournament in scoring with 10 points, helping Canada win the championship and was named the tournament's most valuable player.

2016: World Cup of Hockey Gold and MVP

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

2016: Stanley Cup Championship

In 2016, Sidney Crosby led Pittsburgh to a Stanley Cup championship, adding to his career achievements.

January 27, 2017: Crosby named one of the 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.

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, becoming the 12th-fastest (and 11th-youngest) player to reach that milestone.

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

In June 2017, a survey conducted by Sportsnet showed that Sidney Crosby was voted by Canadians as the greatest athlete of the 21st century.

2017: Consecutive Conn Smythe Trophies and Stanley Cup Championship

In 2017, Sidney Crosby led Pittsburgh to another Stanley Cup championship and became the third player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP) in consecutive years.

2017: Second Richard Trophy and Named One of 100 Greatest NHL Players

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

February 11, 2018: Crosby Scores 400th NHL Goal

On February 11, 2018, Sidney Crosby scored his 400th NHL goal against Jake Allen of the St. Louis Blues, becoming the 95th player in NHL history to reach the milestone. The Penguins defeated the Blues 4–1.

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

In March 2018, an NHLPA poll 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".

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: Crosby's work ethic highlighted

In an April 2018 article for The Washington Post, teammates and coaches emphasized Sidney Crosby's strong work ethic and dedication to excellence as key factors in his enduring success in the NHL.

April 18, 2018: Crosby Becomes Penguins All-Time Playoff Points Leader

On April 18, 2018, during game 4 of the playoffs against the Philadelphia Flyers, Sidney Crosby passed Mario Lemieux as the Penguins' all-time playoff points leader with 173 points.

December 31, 2018: Crosby plays his 900th NHL game

On December 31, 2018, Sidney Crosby played his 900th NHL game in a 3–2 win over the Minnesota Wild, becoming the second player in Penguins history to reach the mark.

January 3, 2019: Crosby Wins All-Star MVP Award

On January 3, 2019, Sidney Crosby was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game for the eighth time in his career. He scored four goals and four assists, helping the Metropolitan Division to victory, winning his first All-Star MVP award.

March 2019: Crosby regarded as best all-around 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: Jersey Number Retired by Rimouski Océanic

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

2019: Jersey Retired

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

January 2020: Crosby selected to NHL All-Decade First Team

In January 2020, Sidney Crosby was selected to the NHL All-Decade First Team, recognizing his achievements and contributions to hockey over the past decade.

2020: Crosby named to IIHF All-Time Canada Team

In 2020, Sidney Crosby was named to the IIHF All-Time Canada Team and the Men's All-Decade Team, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest Canadian hockey players of all time.

February 20, 2021: Crosby plays 1,000th game with the Penguins

On February 20, 2021, Sidney 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: Ted Lindsay Award Finalist

In 2021, Sidney Crosby was 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 during a power play against the Philadelphia Flyers. This accomplishment made him the 46th player in NHL history to reach this mark, and the 18th to have scored all 500 goals for a single team. He became only the second Penguin to score 500 goals, the first being Mario Lemieux.

November 5, 2022: Crosby records 900th career assist

On November 5, 2022, Sidney Crosby recorded his 900th career assist on a goal scored by Jake Guentzel during a game against the Seattle Kraken, which the Penguins lost 3-2. He was the sixth-fastest player in NHL history to reach this milestone.

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

On November 4, 2023, Sidney Crosby participated in his 1,200th NHL game, marking his 19th season in the league. During the game, he recorded an assist in a dominant 10-2 victory against the San Jose Sharks.

April 1, 2024: Crosby averages point per game for 19th consecutive season

On April 1, 2024, after a 5-2 victory over the New York Rangers, Sidney Crosby became only the second player in NHL history, after Wayne Gretzky, to average a point per game for 19 consecutive seasons.