Sidney Crosby

Early life

Sidney Crosby was born on August 7, 1987, at Grace Maternity Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to parents Troy and Trina Crosby. Interestingly, his birth date (8/7/87) has influenced various aspects of his life, including his jersey number, 87, and even his 2007 contract, which was worth $8.7 million per year. Raised in the neighboring town of Cole Harbour, Crosby has a younger sister named Taylor.

His father, Troy Crosby, was a goaltender in his youth and played for the Verdun Junior Canadiens in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Troy was instrumental in leading the team to win the 1985 President’s Cup and secure a spot in the 1985 Memorial Cup. Although Troy was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, he never actually played in the NHL.

As a child, Crosby looked up to Steve Yzerman and, much like his father, was a fan of the Montreal Canadiens. Remarkably, he took up hockey at a very young age, playing in the family’s basement when he was just two years old. Contrary to popular belief, the family dryer positioned behind the net in his basement wasn’t an intentional training aid; it was simply there. Crosby learned how to skate when he was just three years old.

Between the ages of 12 and 15, Crosby studied at Astral Drive Junior High School where he not only excelled academically, securing straight As, but also served as a commendable role model.
According to the school’s vice-principal, Crosby was exceptionally kind, particularly to students with special needs and those in the learning center. At the age of 15, he transferred to Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, a prep school in Faribault, Minnesota, known for its elite hockey program. Later, while he was playing for the Rimouski Océanic in the QMJHL, he attended Harrison Trimble High School in Moncton, New Brunswick, graduating in 2005.

Career

Minor Hockey Years

From a young age, Sidney Crosby caught the eye of the media and gave his first interview to a newspaper at just seven years old. At 13, Crosby encountered a setback when the Minor Hockey Council in Nova Scotia disallowed him from competing in the midget category, designated for players aged 15 to 17. Despite a legal challenge from his family, the decision stood. However, the following year Crosby joined the triple-A Dartmouth Subways in the midget level and had an extraordinary season. He racked up 217 points in both regular season and playoff games, propelling Dartmouth to a runner-up position at the 2002 Air Canada Cup. He was honored with the MVP and Top Scorer awards at the national tournament, amassing 24 points—including 11 goals and 13 assists—in just 7 games.

Additionally, as a 14-year-old, he played a couple of games for the Truro Bearcats in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League, a team that had drafted him a year prior when he was only 13.
Crosby’s rising profile also led to appearances on CBC’s Hockey Day in Canada. However, the attention wasn’t always positive. He recalls multiple instances where he was the target of intentional fouls from opposing players and endured relentless taunts from parents, both on and off the ice. The abuse was so severe that he chose not to wear his jersey between tournament games to avoid recognition.

Due to the negative treatment he received, Crosby decided to play in the United States for the 2002–03 season. He enrolled at Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Boarding School in Minnesota, where he continued to demonstrate his prodigious talent. In 57 games with the school’s team, the Sabres, he scored an astounding 72 goals and totaled 162 points, leading the team to win the U18 AAA national championship.

Professional Career

Crosby’s professional journey began when he was drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. His impact was immediate, as he finished his rookie season with an impressive 102 points. Throughout his career with the Penguins, Crosby has been an instrumental figure in leading the team to multiple Stanley Cup championships, solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s greats.

Beyond just his scoring prowess, Crosby is admired for his playmaking abilities, often setting up his teammates with perfect passes and creating scoring opportunities out of seemingly impossible situations. His leadership both on and off the ice has been instrumental in the Penguins’ success over the years.

Net Worth

As of 2023, Sidney Crosby’s estimated net worth stands at around $55 million. This wealth has been accumulated through his lucrative contracts with the Pittsburgh Penguins, endorsement deals with brands such as Adidas, Tim Hortons, and Gatorade, and other business ventures. Crosby’s consistent performance on the ice and his marketable image off it have made him one of the most financially successful athletes in the NHL.

Achievement

Over the span of his illustrious career, Sidney Crosby has accumulated a plethora of accolades and achievements. Some of the most notable include:

Multiple NHL MVP (Hart Trophy) wins.

Numerous Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Olympic gold medals representing Canada in 2010 and 2014.

Winning the World Championship and the World Cup of Hockey, making him a member of the "Triple Gold Club" – an exclusive group of players who have won an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship gold medal, and the Stanley Cup.

Over 1,000 career points in the NHL, a testament to his consistent excellence and longevity in the league.

Social Profile

No known social media. He has spoken in interviews about how he doesn’t feel a need to be on social media.