Happy 21st, Sid!!!
In honor of Sidney's big day, I created a collage of 21 significant moments in Sid's life so far. Because trying to caption this collage would be a complete nightmare, each singular image is linked to its individual explanation below the photo. Enjoy!!!
Predictably TSCS's Quote of The Day comes from the man himself:
Here's looking at you, Kid!!! (Click for a super-sized view.)
- Awww! It's baby Sidney Patrick!!!
- Siddo started to learn how to play hockey at age two.
- As a pre-teen, buzz about his talent quickly began to build and by age 7, Sid was already doing media interviews.
- Sid was selected first overall in the midget draft by QMJHL's Rimouski Oceanic.
- Sid helped Team Canada win the World Junior Championship in 2005!
- Sid is shown on the day that the Penguins won the 2005 draft lottery.
- Of course the Pens used that number one overall pick to choose The Kid!
- Sid visited Jay Leno after being picked by the Pens.
- Sid hits the ice for his first NHL game. The Pens fell to the New Jersey Devils on 10-05-05 (L 1-5).
- Sidney recorded his first NHL assist in the third period of his first NHL game.
- But he had to wait until the second period of his third game to score his first NHL goal on 10-08-05 in a game against the Boston Bruins (L 6-7 OT).
- Sid took his first trip to the All Star games in 2007.
- Sidney's first trip to the playoffs didn't end well. In 2007, the Ottawa Senators eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins in Round 1 in just 5 games.
- It wasn't all bad though - just a few weeks later, Sid was awarded the Art Ross, Pearson, and Hart trophies for the 2006-07 season.
- On May 31, 2007, Crosby became the youngest captain in NHL history.
- The following month, he unveiled his clothing line with Reebok.
- His first season as captain saw his first NHL fight. It was widely considered a draw when he went toe to toe with Andrew Ference on 12-20-07. The Pens beat the Bruins (W 5-4 SO).
- Sidney (and I!) rang in 2008 with an outdoor game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, New York...
- ...but 17 days later he suffered his first career (major) injury. He missed a total of 29 games as a result of a high ankle sprain.
- He was back in time to lead the Pens to the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
- Sidney suffered the disappointment of a lifetime after the Detroit Red Wings beat the Pens for the Stanley Cup in 6 games.
To Sid: Sláinte mhaith!!! Have this "drink" on us!
Predictably TSCS's Quote of The Day comes from the man himself:
"For me to look far ahead would be a lot of years wasted, and a lot of time and work wasted... I've done the same thing since I was six -- try to get better and have fun playing hockey."