Sidney Crosby is just three points shy of 100 for the season and one
point shy of 200 for his NHL career. With a point tonight against the
New Jersey Devils, he'll be the youngest player in NHL history to
reach 200 points, at 19 years, 204 days. Even if he doesn't get a
point tonight, he'll still have plenty of time to reach the milestone
and beat the record set by Wayne Gretzky, who reached 200 points at 19
years, 347 days.

"I'm not there yet," Crosby said Monday. "I'm just going to worry
about playing the same way. I don't sit there and admire (my numbers)
during the season, especially not now when things are so tight. Last
year, I got (to 100 points) the second-to-last game, so when you're
one game from finishing a season you can think about it a little more.
But, really, my mind's on winning."

Pens's Crosby sings praises of Lightning duo
By Rob Rossi
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, February 25, 2007

TAMPA - Sidney Crosby was 16 when Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St.
Louis helped the Lightning lift the Stanley Cup in 2004.

At 19, Crosby is trying to protect his NHL scoring lead with
Lecavalier and St. Louis as his chief competition for the Art Ross
Trophy. Lecavalier and St. Louis, each with 83 points, trail only
Crosby, who has amassed 96, in the scoring race.

"Those are two guys I grew up watching -- they're fun," Crosby said.
"They have a sense of creativity when they do things. But the thing
about each of those guys that I really respect is that they put in the
second effort, never give up on a play. A lot of times when you see
guys score goals or set up goals, it's because they don't give up on a
play."

Crosby, too, seemingly never gives up on a play. Likewise, he is not
giving up on the possibility that his Penguins could make like the
Lightning and win a championship with a core of mostly young players.

"It's kind of a unique situation that we're in, to have as many young
guys that we do," Crosby said. "But it's encouraging for us to see
that Tampa was successful. It's funny, because it's not like Tampa is
that old. Those guys are still pretty young. They have a lot of long
playoff runs in them."

Tampa and the Penguins are both on pace to reach the playoffs this
season. And though the Penguins have recorded the league's highest
point total since the All-Star break, chances are it would not mind
avoiding the Lightning in the playoffs.

The Penguins have dropped each of their three games with Tampa this
season and have won just once here since the 1999-2000 season.

CANONSBURG, Pa. -- The Pittsburgh Penguins are burning up the ice
these days, largely because of star Sidney Crosby.

We've seen the 19-year-old Crosby's moves on the ice, but what does he
do when he's off the ice?

WTAE Channel 4 Action News anchor Michelle Wright caught up with Sid
the Kid to find out. They played pool and bubble hockey at Southpointe
recently before a team practice.

Wright: "Do you have a girlfriend?"

Crosby: "I'm single. It's pretty tough to meet girls and stuff like
that. We don't get a lot of time away from the rink."

Wright: "When you're ready to look for a girlfriend, what are you
going to look for?"

Crosby: "Probably somebody who's pretty independent. I mean, with the
hockey schedule, you need somebody who's going to have to deal with
what I deal with when I'm out in public and stuff like that. Pretty
patient person."

Wright: "Lots of people were interested in you or had a daughter they
wanted you to meet. Do you get a lot of people wanting to fix you up?"

Crosby: "Yeah, that happens a lot. And you know, there's not too many
ways you can take it. You don't want to say yes to everybody, but it
really depends on the situation. I'm not too big on the blind dates or
anything like that, but you never know."

Wright: "How easy is it for you to go out and hang out?"

Crosby: "It's fine. People are awesome here. They're supportive. They
definitely recognize people when we're out, but by no means do they
invade people's privacy."

There is often a rush of people requesting Sid the Kid's autograph,
but Crosby said he has requested a few autographs for his own
collection, too.

"I got (Steelers wide receiver) Hines Ward, and I was pretty happy
with that," said Crosby. "It was right after the Super Bowl, and that
was pretty interesting to me to get his autograph. And (Pirates
outfielder) Jason Bay, a fellow Canadian who's doing great here."

Crosby also takes pride in his hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

"I get home for Christmas if we have a good break, if we have enough
days off," said Crosby. "In the summer, I have a house back there. I
love going there. It's a great place. You can go there and I
guarantee, first day, you'll make five friends."

In Pittsburgh, Crosby lives with Penguins part-owner Mario Lemieux.

With four children running around the Lemieux house, Crosby said it's
easy to stay grounded.

He said there's not a lot of hockey talk at home, but Lemieux and his
wife, Nathalie, have given some advice: When it comes to hockey, enjoy
the game, and when it comes to women, be responsible.

Crosby said that's something he keeps in mind when he hangs out with
his teammates, both on and off the ice.

"Everybody, I mean the young guys on the team, hang out the most,"
said Crosby. "Guys like (Colby) Armstrong and (Ryan) Whitney."

Wright: "Who gives you the hardest time?"

Crosby: "Army (Armstrong) for sure. He's my roommate, so I hear a lot
from him."

Crosby said when they go out, they like to hit Morton's or Sonoma Grille.

He said his taste in music includes Three Days Grace and Foo Fighters,
and his Sunday routine now includes watching football.

But plans for after the end of his hockey career aren't written in stone.

Wright: "What do you think you'll do after hockey?"

Crosby: "I don't know."

Wright: "You're 19, so you probably don't have to think about that yet."

Crosby: "I don't know. You never know. I don't know, and I want to
think about it. I want to play as long as I can and see how that goes."

His goals on the ice come easy. Crosby was picked to be a hockey great
at an early age, but he said he wasn't so sure that would be the case.

"For me, I didn't want to expect it or anything like that," said Crosby.

When it came to dishing out dirt, Crosby went straight for his
on-the-road roommate, Armstrong.

"He snores," said Crosby. "He snores like crazy. I am one of those
people who could fall asleep within two minutes of my head hitting the
pillow, but I've woken up and heard some pretty awkward noises coming
out of his nose."

Gretzky knows Crosby's star burden
February 19, 2007

Canadian Press

Wayne Gretzky isn't a bit surprised Sidney Crosby has his detractors,
whether it's allegations of diving or suggestions he whines too much.

"You spend all this time saying this guy's the next guy, this guy's
going to do it. You build something up so much that when they get on
top, there's a small percentage who want to knock them off," said
Gretzky in a recent interview.

"And (Crosby) has been going through this last year or so. The
majority of fans respect him, understand him, think how great he is
for the game. But there's always a person who wants to be the devil's
advocate."

The Great One chuckles at the way Don Cherry, also known as "Grapes"
and the lead voice of Coach's Corner on the influential Canadian TV
telecast Hockey Night in Canada, has been taking shots at Crosby all
season.

"You know, Grapes speaks from his heart. He's always trying to better
the game," Gretzky said. "Grapes was hard on me before. It's nothing
personal.

"I'm sure Grapes was the general manager of a team and he could pick
any player in the NHL right now, it would be Crosby. And he'd defend
him for the next year about how guys were running him."

Gretzky knows only too well the league-wide appeal Crosby, who created
the only sellout for the Phoenix Coyotes this season when he came to
town Jan. 27 and scored a goal in the Penguins' 7-2 victory.

After being the NHL's most watched player for almost two decades,
Gretzky believes the burden on Crosby is greater.

"It's a progression. What I went through in the early '80s was
probably harder then what Gordie (Howe) and Bobby (Orr) went through
because there was more cities and more attention and more media,"
Gretzky said.

"So he definitely has tremendous pressure on him. Not so much about
playing, he's had that his whole life, but the pressure of selling the
game, being the face out there."

Notebook: Crosby, Ovechkin rivalry featured in NHL ad

By Karen Price
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, February 18, 2007

Sidney Crosby only had one line in the NHL's promotional ad that was
filmed January during the NHL All-Star Game, but it was a good one.

The commercial, titled "Road Trip," opens with Washington Capitals
star Alex Ovechkin ordering room service for one in his hotel room --
lots and lots of room service.

As the clip moves to other NHLers acting up -- brothers Jordan and
Eric Staal have a pillow fight in their room -- it always goes back to
Ovechkin ordering more and more food. Finally, Ovechkin says, "My
name? Sidney Crosby," and the commercial cuts immediately to Crosby
opening his door to a huge delivery.

His one line -- snarling the name "Ovechkin" -- wasn't one he got down
right off the bat, either.

"It took a lot (of takes), just because of the lighting or I didn't
say it the right way," Crosby said. "They have to be so precise for a
two-second clip."

As of yesterday, Crosby hadn't seen the commercial, available on YouTube.

"I haven't heard too much about it," he said. "But it was fun to do."

Ovechkin on a slide

Crosby ended an eight-game stretch without a goal when he scored
Friday against the New Jersey Devils. Ovechkin probably knows how
Crosby felt. Although he owned or shared the league lead in goals for
most of January, Ovechkin has scored only once in the last six games,
and his total of 34 has him in a tie with Anaheim's Teemu Selanne for
second in the league going into yesterday's games. They trailed league
leader Vincent Lecavalier by five goals.

Crosby, Ovechkin set to duel on NBC

With Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby and Washington Capitals sniper Alex Ovechkin squaring off on the ice against each other, the NHL on NBC broadcasts on Sunday, February 18 should be memorable.Crosby, in only his second year in the league, is on pace to become the youngest player to win the NHL scoring title and currently leads the league with 87 points through just 52 games (25 goals, 62 assists).Reigning rookie of the year Ovechkin, also in his second year in the NHL, currently ranks second among goal-scorers (34), and is fifth overall in the league in points (72).

"This is someone who gives 100 percent on every shift, on and off the ice, for his team and his league."

. - Pat Brisson, Sidney Crosby's agent
More in the The NHL on NBC blog

And don't forget about Pittburgh's super rookie Evgeni Malkin, who leads all first-year players in goals (27), assists (36) and total points (63).Here what NBC's hockey analysts are saying about the two stars and their respective clubs:Bill Clement:
"Sid, at 19, has become the number one watch in the NHL – even hockey people settle in to watch the Penguins. Alex Ovechkin's team hasn't had as much success, but he is near the top of the league in goals scored and is usually worth the price of admission alone. Going head-to-head will bring the best out of both of them, but I'd be surprised if Crosby isn't more dominant on Sunday."The whole Pittsburgh team is on a roll – they're the second youngest team in the league, they're feeling good about themselves, and they've got a swagger that wasn't there before."Ed Olczyk:
"The Penguins have allowed Marc-Andre Fleury to be the number-one guy in the nets; he has really been the unsung hero on that team that's gotten them to where they are. But with all the talented, young players they have, that's not unexpected.""Sid and Alex are two players who love what they're doing and love to entertain the fans. Having seen Sid firsthand, he really has an infectious enthusiasm in how he plays the game. And with the new rules in the NHL, anything is possible for him. Will he be able to average two points a game? He could be pretty darn close. There's a good chance that if his career continues the way it's started, he'll be at the top of the scoring list. He has the ability and he has the will, which may be his greatest quality that doesn't get talked about. He always wants to be the best player on the ice, no matter who he's playing or whether it's just practice."Tune into the NHL on NBC on Sunday, beginning with our Countdown to Faceoff live streaming pregame show, followed by Washington at Pittsburgh, Chicago at New York Rangers or San Jose at Dallas.Mike Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (inside-the-glass reporter) will call Washington at Pittsburgh; Dave Strader (play-by-play), Peter McNab (analyst) and Joe Micheletti (inside-the-glass reporter) will call Chicago at New York; and Chris Cuthbert (play-by-play), Brian Hayward (analyst) and Darren Pang (inside-the-glass reporter) call San Jose at Dallas.

Link: http://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/1056151/detail.html

The assignment was going to be a dream or a nightmare.

It turned out to be both -- and a compelling story.

Globe and Mail reporter Shawna Richer pitched her editor the idea of
moving from Halifax to Pittsburgh to spend an entire season writing
about the NHL's most heralded rookie, Sidney Crosby, after the
lockout. She was terrified when her newspaper accepted.

"We went into it thinking we're committed to this for the season and
we didn't know what was going to happen," said Richer, a former London
Free Press reporter.

"It could have gone terribly wrong, but I don't think I could have
been luckier, because he was tremendous and the team was terrible.
There was this dynamic of personal success versus team failure."

Richer chronicled all of it in dispatches for the Globe and Mail and
combined them into The Rookie: A Season With Sidney Crosby and the New
NHL, being released today.

Richer, 39, has returned to Halifax to cover all manner of assignments
in the Globe and Mail's Atlantic bureau, but says writing about Crosby
for a season will stand out in her career.

"This was special to me because no one else can ever go back and do
it," Richer said. "Sidney's rookie year in the NHL is gone, but I got
to see it up close and was allowed to pay extraordinary attention to it."

At 18, Crosby's 39 goals and 63 assists made him the youngest player
in NHL history to reach 100 points in a season and he finished sixth
overall in the league's scoring race.

The teen from Cole Harbour, N.S., and 20-year-old Washington Capitals
forward Alex Ovechkin waged the most entertaining battle for the NHL's
rookie award in years.

But it wasn't smooth sailing for Crosby. Many can recall the image of
him bloody-lipped and spitting mad after a mugging by Flyers
defenceman Derian Hatcher, or that of Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk
taunting Crosby after scoring while Crosby was in the penalty box.

Crosby was not selected to the Canadian Olympic team by Wayne Gretzky,
who once said Crosby would be the one to break all his NHL records.

The Penguins provided dramatic subplots.

The new collective bargaining agreement was supposed to help
small-market teams contend for the Stanley Cup.

Pittsburgh surrounded Crosby with proven veterans, including aging
star and team owner Mario Lemieux, in a bid to reach the postseason
after three straight years out.

But the Pens tanked early and for the first time, Crosby played for a
losing team.

Lemieux fell ill with a heart condition, retired and put the team up
for sale again. Head coach Eddie Olczyk was fired and replaced by
Michel Therrien. Veteran forward Ziggy Palffy abruptly retired.

Because Crosby was a hockey prodigy growing up, he is no stranger to
the media. He is eerily self-contained and polished in interviews.

But Richer was able to describe his darkest days simply by watching
him, because Crosby can't hide his passion and emotion for the game,
she said.

"He wears his emotions on his sleeve and you can see it in his face
and how he walks."

(CP) - The assignment was going to be a dream or a nightmare.

It turned out to be both - and a compelling story.

Sidney Crosby's first season in the NHL was fantastic and his
Pittsburgh Penguins' season was a soap opera.

When Globe and Mail reporter Shawna Richer pitched the idea of moving
from Halifax to Pittsburgh to spend an entire season writing about the
NHL's most heralded rookie after the lockout, she was terrified when
her newspaper accepted.

"We went into it thinking we're committed to this for the season and
we didn't know what was going to happen," Richer said.

"It could have gone terribly wrong, but I don't think I could have
been luckier because he was tremendous and the team was terrible.
There was this dynamic of personal success versus team failure."

Richer chronicled all of it in dispatches for The Globe and Mail and
combined them into "The Rookie. A Season with Sidney Crosby and the
New NHL," out Saturday.

Richer, 39, has returned to Halifax to cover all manner of assignments
in The Globe and Mail's Atlantic bureau, but says writing about Crosby
for a season will stand out in her career.

"This was special to me because no one else can ever go back and do
it," Richer said. "Sidney's rookie year in the NHL is gone, but I got
to see it up close and was allowed to pay extraordinary attention to it."

At 18, Crosby's 39 goals and 63 assists made him the youngest player
in NHL history to reach 100 points in a season and he finished sixth
overall in the league's scoring race.

The teen from Cole Harbour, N.S., and 20-year-old Washington Capitals
forward Alex Ovechkin waged the most entertaining battle for the NHL's
rookie award in years.

But it wasn't smooth sailing for Crosby. Many can recall the image of
him bloody-lipped and spitting-mad after a mugging by Flyers
defenceman Derian Hatcher, as well as Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk
taunting Crosby after scoring a goal while Crosby was in the penalty box.

Crosby was not selected to the Canadian Olympic team by Wayne Gretzky,
who once said Crosby would be the one to break all his NHL records.

The Penguins provided dramatic subplots.

The new collective bargaining agreement was supposed to help
small-market teams contend for the Stanley Cup.

Pittsburgh surrounded Crosby with proven veterans, including aging
star and team owner Mario Lemieux, in a bid to reach the post-season
after three straight years out of it.

But the Pens tanked early and for the first time, Crosby played for a
losing team.

Lemieux fell ill with a heart condition, retired and put the team up
for sale again. Head coach Eddie Olczyk was fired and replaced by
Michel Therrien. Veteran forward Ziggy Palffy abruptly retired.

Because Crosby was a hockey prodigy growing up, he is no stranger to
the media. He is eerily self-contained and polished in interviews.

But Richer was able to describe his darkest days simply by watching
him, because Crosby can't hide his passion and emotion for the game.

"He wears his emotions on his sleeve and you can see it in his face
and how he walks," she said.

During one painful losing skid, Richer observed that Crosby constantly
clenched his toes while delivering his usual neutral-positive answers
to questions.

Crosby lived with Lemieux and his family in suburban Pittsburgh.
Richer had hoped to get a peek what life was like in that household,
but was not given that access.

"I often wonder how it would have turned out if the Penguins would
have won 50 games," she said. "When a team is losing, it's not fun to
be around them. They tend to shut down and that's understandable, but
it makes your job a lot tougher."

That Richer thinks highly of Crosby is apparent in the book, but there
is little to dislike in a young hockey player mature beyond his years
and accommodating to everyone who wants his time or autograph.

Crosby did open up to Richer about the prospect of having a
girlfriend. He didn't have one at the conclusion of his rookie
campaign, even though there were many brazen offers printed on signs
and held up by young women at his games.

"I have to wonder if he might break a lot of girls' hearts when he
says he doesn't really think he'll meet his girlfriend at a hockey
rink," Richer said.

-

"The Rookie. A Season with Sidney Crosby and the New NHL," published
by McClelland and Stewart ($29.99, 420 pages).

PITTSBURGH — One day after New York Islanders coach Ted Nolan accused
Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby of diving, the 19-year-old
star and his coach brushed off the comments as gamesmanship.

"I don't need to defend myself," said Crosby, who has not been called
for a diving penalty this season. "I think my play more than shows the
type of player I am. I'd be worried if I went out there and did that,
but I don't."

Crosby drew a hooking minor from Islanders' Alexei Yashin in overtime
Thursday night that led to the winning power-play goal in Pittsburgh's
4-3 victory.

Frustrated after a tough loss in which New York blew a 3-2
third-period lead, Nolan criticized Crosby.

"I think for a world-class player, for a guy his calibre, he's diving
every time someone touches him," Nolan said. "The refs said they're
going to call it on people who dive. I guess they missed his diving."

Nolan also said the referees should have called Crosby for slashing
Yashin immediately before Yashin's hook.

"No question in my mind, he should have been called for a slash before
Yashin had a chance to hook him," Nolan said. "I'm not saying Yashin's
wasn't a penalty, I'm just saying there should have been a penalty
before. If Yashin maybe acted like Crosby and dove, maybe he would
have got the call."

The NHL has directed its officials in recent seasons to more strictly
enforce diving.

Crosby said he was sorry if Yashin was hurt but said there was no
reason to apologize for hitting him because it was not an illegal
play. Crosby said only one hand was on his stick and it slid up
Yashin's stick before striking Yashin's hand.

"Look at the tape," Crosby said. "If I chopped down with two hands on
my stick, that might be something."

Crosby was similarly accused of diving last season by Philadelphia
Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock. That happened after a November game in
which Flyers defenceman Derian Hatcher appeared to twice slash Crosby
without being called for a penalty and Crosby scored the winning goal
in overtime.

The Islanders and Flyers are both in the Atlantic Division with the
Penguins and each play Pittsburgh eight times per season.

"From Rocket Richard to Gordie Howe to Jaromir Jagr to Mario Lemieux
to Wayne Gretzky, all those athletes are terrific players who get a
lot of attention from a lot of people, and they frustrate a lot of
(opponents) with how talented they are," said Pittsburgh coach Michel
Therrien.

A year after posting a club-record 102 points as a rookie, Crosby has
two goals and seven assists in six games to lead the Penguins with
nine points.

"Ted Nolan is a smart coach," Crosby said. "He knows they play us
seven more times. It was a tough loss for them and so if he wants to
plant a seed, he probably figures he can do it early and see what
happens."

"I know the rules, and the referees are looking for (diving) this
year, so if I do it, they will catch me, I have no problem with that."

'I don't need to defend myself. I think my play more than shows the
type of player I am. I'd be worried if I went out there and did that,
but I don't.'

Another National Hockey League coach -- Ted Nolan of the New York
Islanders -- has essentially labeled Sidney Crosby a diver.

Get used to it.

Just six games into his second season, Crosby has already accepted
that opposing coaches are looking to create a stir about his supposed
penchant for going down upon contact.

Crosby is especially aware that complaints will likely come from
coaches leading clubs within the Atlantic division -- like Nolan and
Philadelphia's Ken Hitchcock, who consistently called out Crosby last
season.

"You play hockey for a long time, and things don't change," Crosby
said. "Coaches are smart. Ted Nolan is smart. He knows that he plays
us seven more times. He wants to plant a seed and probably figures he
can do it early and see what happens.

"There is a competitive edge everybody is trying to gain, whether it
is a player or coach. ... I can look at myself in the mirror and tell
myself that I'm an honest player."

Despite seemingly being everywhere at Nassau Coliseum during the
Penguins' 4-3 victory in overtime, Crosby wasn't called for a penalty
Thursday.

From the opening face-off, Crosby put on a display of speed and skill
that are hallmarks of his best efforts. As was evident by his three
assists, the Islanders had no answer for him.

Knowing that the NHL's unbalanced schedule emphasizes divisional play
and that 14 additional points would be up for grabs between the
Islanders and Penguins this season, Nolan criticized the officiating
crew's handling of Crosby to the New York media.

"It doesn't make any sense at all," Mark Recchi said. "(Crosby) hasn't
got a diving penalty yet. They'll try to use every edge they can, but
it seems ludicrous until he gets a call. Nolan should worry about his
own team.

"They can try all they want. ... He doesn't dive."

To be sure, Crosby is not the first gifted hockey player that coaches
have attempted to label a diver.

Penguins coach Michel Therrien knows that his young star won't be the
last.

"Good players get attention from a lot of people," Therrien said.
"From (Maurice) Richard to Gordie Howe to Jaromir Jagr to Mario
Lemieux to Wayne Gretzky -- all those athletes are good players and
get the attention from a lot of people and frustrate them with the way
they play. Sometimes, something will be said to try and influence
other people. Probably that was what it was. (Nolan) was probably
trying to influence a decision.

"Sidney Crosby is tough to defend. They have to pull him down to
defend him. He's going to frustrate a lot of players and coaches. And
that's a good thing."

Another good thing for Therrien and his Penguins is that Crosby hasn't
shown a tendency to complain to referees this season about the rough
on-ice treatment.

"He's been pretty good this year with the amount of complaining going
on about him last year," said Colby Armstrong, one of Crosby's
linemates. "I haven't seen him say anything to the refs this year.
He's keeping his mouth shut about everything and doing a good job."

Heading into this season, Crosby was committed to controlling his
emotions on the ice.

"That doesn't mean I'm not going to talk (officials); I am," said
Crosby. "Hopefully, it is going to be more controlled and a lot less
threatening from my side."

It's 12:30 p.m. on a Penguins practice day, the session has been over
for a half hour and Sidney Crosby is still on the ice.

Not that it's unusual for Crosby to be among the last to head to the
dressing room.

Crosby took the hockey world by storm last year, becoming the youngest
player in the history of the NHL to reach 100 points at the age of 18
years, 253 days. But while his life has changed in some ways, like
becoming a homeowner, in most regards, he remains the same
hard-working, focused player he was a year ago.

"I think it's important (to stay the same guy)," Crosby said. "I feel
lucky that I'm able to play hockey, and I don't take that for granted.
I'm lucky to wake up every day and do something I love. A lot of
people don't have that opportunity."

Crosby's drive and maturity have been well documented over the years
and particularly since he stepped into the spotlight of the NHL with
labels such as "The Next One" and the new savior of the Penguins.

Sidney Crosby's father, Troy, believes that much of his son's maturity
comes from playing both hockey and baseball with kids who were older
than he was growing up.

"He was never around kids his own age except in his class," said Troy
Crosby, who often attends games. "In sports, where he spent most of
his time out of school, he was with kids who were maybe two years
older. So, maybe it was just something that happened naturally. I
don't know."

Troy Crosby says that he and his wife, Trina, didn't groom their son
to be able to handle the spotlight and the pressure. But they did
raise Sidney and their daughter, Taylor, to be respectful of others,
he said. But there's nothing they did specifically to prepare Sidney
for hockey superstardom.

"He's been in the spotlight for a long time, even in minor hockey. So,
he's been singled out as being a little bit different, and he's always
had a lot of attention," Troy Crosby said. "But there's nothing that
we did consciously to prepare him, no."

Pierre McGuire, analyst for TSN, NBC and Versus, has known Crosby for
years and says that, even when Crosby was attending Shattuck St.
Mary's (Minn.) as a 16-year-old, he was known for being mature for his
age, both on and off the ice.

McGuire also saw examples of it when Crosby was swarmed at his first
World Junior Championship tournament in Helsinki, Finland, when he
became the youngest player to score a goal in the tournament, and
again when he went to play for Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior
Hockey League.

"Rimouski is an extremely French town, and he not only played there,
but he learned the language," McGuire said. "He had to adapt to a
culture far different from what he grew up in, and he never
complained. He was proud to be part of it and enjoyed it so much that,
during the Olympic break last year, he went up to Rimouski."

Crosby's life did change a bit over the summer.

Although in Pittsburgh -- Crosby still stays with Mario Lemieux and
his family -- Crosby bought his first house close to where he grew up
in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, for the offseason. It's a good place for
privacy, he said, especially since his parents' address is known well
enough that fans have actually showed up unexpectedly at the front door.

"I found a spot that I've kind of always dreamed of having, and it was
a perfect situation for me, so I was more than happy to get something
there," Crosby said, adding that it's in a gated neighborhood. "It's
not a place that's full of houses or a suburban area or anything. It's
in the woods and on a nice lake, so I really enjoy it there."

One thing Crosby has come to be known for amongst his teammates is his
willingness to share in his good fortune.

Reebok is one of Crosby's main sponsors, and last year, he had them
deliver enough running shoes to outfit the entire team.

"He always does stuff for the guys in that way," Ryan Malone said.
"Obviously, he has a lot of endorsements, and he thinks of the guys.
That just shows the kind of person he is. He wants to make sure
everyone can benefit from his success. He's definitely thinking about
the guys, and he's a good team guy."

This year, Crosby arranged to have a popular Canadian brand of coffee
delivered to Mellon Arena, so that his teammates and staff members
could have it whenever they wanted.

"I know we don't have it here (in Pittsburgh), and the trainers enjoy
a nice coffee sometimes because, let's face it, they're at the rink so
much and early in the mornings, things like that," Crosby said. "I
know a lot of the guys like to drink coffee, too, so I just figured
that if I have the ability to get my hands on some coffee, I'd try to
hook up the team and the office."

Malone said it was hard to judge whether Crosby seems more mature this
year than he did last year. To him, Crosby's the same guy he's always
been.

"He's still only 19, but he knows how to handle himself," Malone said.
"To me, he's the same player. We still get on him and joke around with
him. To us, he's still just another guy on the team."

One of Crosby's best friends on the team is Colby Armstrong, 23.

Armstrong laughed when it was suggested that Crosby sometimes acts
like he's 19 going on 39. But he said that everything Crosby does,
both on and off the ice, is done with the idea of helping the team get
better.

In six games this season, Crosby, who had 102 points in his rookie
year, has two goals and seven assists to lead the team in scoring.

"He wants the team to do well," Armstrong said. "He wants to win. He's
obviously a big competitor, and he wants to turn this thing around not
in a year, not in two years, but now.

"It's a great attitude to have, and it's obviously rubbing off on
everyone else."

Troy Crosby said as mature as his son is on the ice during the season
and as seriously as he takes hockey, he still shows his teenage side
when he's at home during the offseason.

"When he's at home relaxing, he's like any other 18 or 19-year-old
kid, hanging out with his buddies, laughing, joking around, watching
TV, playing football or golf, just having fun and trying to relax away
from the rink," Troy Crosby said. "He's definitely just a normal kid."

Troy Crosby has already had many proud dad moments over the course of
Sidney's career, and he'll undoubtedly have many more to come. But, at
the end of the day, he might be most proud of the person his son is,
not the hockey player.

"What parent wouldn't be proud of that?" Troy Crosby said. "He cares
about people, and he's respectful.

"After hockey's over, that's what's most important is being a good
person. That's all we try to raise our kids to be. That's absolutely
something that I'll always be proud of."

Hi :) There are a lot of videos of him on YouTube:

http://youtube.com/results?search_query=sidney+crosby&search=Search


DJ





--- In SidneyCrosby@yahoogroups.com, "royalschick929"
<royalschick929@...> wrote:
>
> Does anyone have any videos of Sidney in games or interviews that you
> can send me? I'd really like to see the interview of him on Jay Leno
> if anyone has it. If you could upload them to www.sendspace.com and
> send them to royalschick929@... Or if you know of a website
> that has any I'd really appreciate it if you post them for me!
>
> Thanks!
>

Does anyone have any videos of Sidney in games or interviews that you
can send me? I'd really like to see the interview of him on Jay Leno
if anyone has it. If you could upload them to www.sendspace.com and
send them to royalschick929@.... Or if you know of a website
that has any I'd really appreciate it if you post them for me!

Thanks!

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Now that Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux has retired
again, the Pittsburgh Penguins are moving on behind another big star.

General manager Ray Shero and coach Michel Therrien must decide
whether 19-year-old Sidney Crosby - the team's best player and the
face of the franchise - should wear the ``C'' as the team captain at
the Oct. 5 opener against Philadelphia.

Other possible choices include forwards Mark Recchi and John LeClair.
But they are not the big scorers they once were, and both have spent
most of their careers with other teams.

Crosby, making an unannounced appearance Tuesday at the Penguins youth
camp, said he wouldn't turn down the ``C'' but won't campaign for it.

``If one day whoever makes that decision decides they'd like me to
have it, it would be a huge honor,'' said Crosby, designated by
Therrien as an alternate captain immediately after the coach was hired
in December. ``But, at the same time, it's something you have to earn.
That's not something you take lightly. For me it's my second year, so
it's not something you're thinking about. I'm working on improving
myself as a player and a person, and that's all I really worry about.''

Crosby acknowledged he and Recchi had issues before the 17-season
veteran was traded to Stanley Cup champion Carolina. Apparently,
Recchi felt Crosby was too vocal and demonstrative about calls that
didn't go his way, especially for a rookie. The two since have talked,
and Crosby said he welcomes Recchi's return.

Crosby also has closely followed Penguins draft pick Evgeni Malkin's
clandestine departure from his Russian team in Finland and his recent
journey to the United States, where he hopes to join the Penguins for
camp next month.

``It's a pretty amazing story,'' Crosby said. ``What he went through
is pretty unbelievable. He showed a lot of guts to go through that and
come over here. I think everyone is just looking forward to having him
here and making him feel as comfortable as possible.''

Malkin, 20, and Crosby, 19, are expected to give the Penguins a
dynamic and very young combination at center. The two are a combined
39 years old, or nearly Recchi's age; Recchi turns 39 on Feb. 1.

``If we're both at our best and both lines are at their best, we're
going to be tough,'' said Crosby, who has played against Malkin in the
world and world junior championships.

Crosby, who spent the day instructing some players who weren't much
younger than him, was pleased with his rookie season but knows he can
improve. He became the youngest player in NHL history to have a
100-point season and only the second 18-year-old to do so, though it
didn't prevent a fourth consecutive Penguins last-place division finish.

``You never want to gauge a season on your plus-minus and stuff like
that but, being a responsible player out there, you want to be out
there for more goals than against,'' said Crosby, a minus-1 for the
season. ``It's something I want to work on. I'm not a 10-year veteran,
but I want to make sure I'm the leader out there and do my best to
lead by example.''

Captain or not.

Having turned 19 earlier this month, Sidney Crosby is too young to
remember the days of hockey stars defecting from Eastern Bloc
countries to play in the NHL. But he has heard the stories.
The Pittsburgh Penguins' star got a sense of the old days by tracking
the events surrounding soon-to-be teammate Evgeni Malkin, the hulking
Russian center whose trip from Magnitogorsk this summer has been
immersed in tension and foreign intrigue.


For Crosby, it provided not only a history lesson, but also some
insight to Malkin.

"I can't imagine (going through that), but I know that for anyone who
has a dream of playing in the NHL and a passion to play, this is the
league you want to be in. For him, that's the way it is," Crosby said
Tuesday between sessions of the Penguins' youth hockey school, where
he served as a special guest instructor.

"I think when you get that opportunity, you're willing to do whatever
it takes and take those risks to get here. It shows that he wants to
be here. He went through a lot of adversity to get here, so, when he
does come, I think he's going to want it bad and want to play well and
expect a lot of himself.

"That's only going to make everyone around him better."

Crosby has the same agent as Malkin, Pat Brisson, and got a little bit
of the inside scoop on Malkin's journey - being pressured late one
night into signing a new contract with Metallurg, then slipping away
from the team in the Helsinki airport and hiding in that city until he
got a visa last week and flew to Los Angeles, where he has been
working out.

"It showed a lot of guts for him to go through that and come over
here," Crosby said. "I'm just looking forward to having him here and
making him feel as comfortable as possible."

Crosby, the top overall pick in the 2005 NHL draft, is a year younger
than Malkin, the second overall pick in 2004. Although he had intense
scrutiny as a rookie, Crosby led the Penguins with 39 goals, five of
them game-winners, and 63 assists for 102 points.

He had advantages Malkin won't have, such as speaking English (and
French) and growing up in a North American culture.

Nevertheless, once the Penguins sign Malkin, the two centers could
help give the Penguins a couple of formidable forward lines.

"If we're both at our best and if both lines are at their best, it's
going to be tough," Crosby said.

Crosby is eager to get into training camp and see Malkin there.

"I can't wait," he said. "I've played against him and seen him play a
lot. I'm just looking forward to getting out there and learning from
him, too. Hopefully, we can build some chemistry and make some things
happen out there. We're going to be a deeper team and a harder team to
play against."

"I think the attitude coming into the season is (that) a lot of guys
want to prove that we're a better team than last year. We all have
high expectations. We know we're young, but I think we're coming in
with the right attitude - to start off strong and win."

Malkin will be one of many new faces, thanks to changes made by
first-year general manager Ray Shero after a 58-point season that left
the Penguins second-to-last in the NHL standings.

One of the new players is Mark Recchi, who re-signed with the Penguins
after being traded to Carolina in March. Recchi and Crosby had a
falling out over a locker-room incident. Recchi and Shero have claimed
all was well, and Crosby confirmed it.

"Things happen," he said. "We just have to make sure we move forward.
That's the most important thing."

Crosby's stop in Pittsburgh will be brief. Under the NHL's collective
bargaining agreement, he can't be compensated, so he paid his way here
and donated his time at the youth camp.

On the ice, he smiled nonstop while encouraging the budding players
ages 5-17.

"I can remember being 6, 7 years old, Brad Richards (of Tampa Bay)
taught me at a hockey school, and now I play against him," Crosby
said. "It's kind of funny how things work like that. You always
remember those times in your life when you meet people like that. To
be able to do it here is nice."

He will return to his hometown in suburban Halifax, Nova Scotia,
briefly before heading to Rimouski, Quebec, where he played junior
hockey and where he and several other pros will work out before
training camps open next month.

After playing in the world championships and vacationing in Europe,
Crosby felt like he didn't have a terrifically long offseason.

"It wasn't much of a vacation," he said.

Sidney Crosby can't wait for Oct. 5.

After all, that's when the Penguins open their season against the
Flyers at Mellon Arena.

"I think the attitude coming into this season is that a lot of guys
want to prove we're a better team this year than we were last year,"
he said. "We all have high expectations. We know we're young. I think
the attitude we have is right."

And, Crosby's excited at the possibility of playing on the same ice as
Penguins prospect Evgeni Malkin.


Malkin is currently in Los Angeles with his agents and has said he is
hopeful of playing with the Penguins this season.

"I can't wait," Crosby said. "I played against him [at the World
Junior Championships and the most recent World Championships] and have
seen him play a lot. I am just looking forward to getting out there
and hopefully learning from him, too. He is a great player and you can
always learn things. I want to learn from him. Hopefully we can build
some chemistry and make some things happen out there."

Crosby has followed Malkin's journey from Russia to the United States
closely since they are both represented by the same agency.

"It's a pretty amazing story. I have been following it like everyone
else. With him being so close to [agent] Pat [Brisson] and hearing
what he went through is pretty unbelievable," Crosby said. "He showed
a lot of guts to go through that and come over here. I think everyone
is just looking forward to having him here and make him feel as
comfortable as possible.

"For anyone who has a dream to play [pro hockey] and the passion to
play, this is the league you want to be in. For him, I think when you
get that opportunity, you'll do whatever it takes and take those risks
to get here," he continued. "It shows that he wants to be here. He
went through a lot of adversity to get here, so when he does come, I
think he is going to want it bad and want to play well and expect a
lot out of himself. It's only going to make everyone else around him
better."

NHL observers believe Crosby and Malkin would form a devastating 1-2
punch at center.

"If we're both at our best and both lines are at their best, we're
going to be tough. It's always hard to play against teams who have a
different couple of lines who can play against you," Crosby said.
"With the guys we brought in over the course of the summer as well,
we're going to be a deeper team and a harder team to play against.
There's no doubt that having two lines that can come at other teams is
going to be nice."

In addition, Crosby is looking forward to playing with Mark Recchi
again this season.

"We're here on the same team together with one main goal and that's to
win," he said. "That hasn't changed and that's the way it's got to be.
We all just need to make sure we move forward – that's the
most-important thing."

Crosby is ready to work hard during training camp, which begins Sept. 14.

"The focus and the attitude is on having a good training camp and
making sure we start well," he said. "You have to erase last year no
matter if you have a winning season or a losing season. Anytime you
start a new one, you have to erase the year before. I think that's
what I am going to do and I think that's what we all should do."

PITTSBURGH (AP) — There wasn't much vacation during Sidney Crosby's summer vacation.

Despite going non-stop for almost 18 months until the Penguins'

season ended in April, Crosby said Tuesday he took little time off during a summer spent mostly working out at his home in Nova Scotia.

He played in the world junior championships in May, then spent an extra two weeks vacationing in Europe. That followed a whirlwind year in which he played his final season in junior hockey and was the NHL's No. 1 draft pick before spending most of the summer of

2005 training for his rookie season.

But after returning home to Canada following the world championships, he resumed his offseason workouts within a week. He spent much of the summer there, lifting weights and doing speed and strength exercises.

"I started all over again, trying to get faster and stronger," said Crosby, whose 102 points last season were the most in NHL history for an 18-year-old. "I didn't skate a whole lot, maybe five or six times, but I'll be out a lot more" before training camp begins Sept.

14.

He said he didn't do much traveling during his time off because "we travel enough during the season."

Crosby is spending several days in Pittsburgh this week, working Tuesday at the Penguins youth camp, before leaving for a week of training in Quebec with some former teammates and other NHL players.

He expects to return to Pittsburgh after that to work out before camp.

"When I came in last year, there was a little bit of pressure and I felt I had something to prove being an 18-year-old in the league and what I had done before," Crosby said. "I think I have to come with the same attitude."

Crosby was glad to have played in the world championships, where he was the leading scorer with 16 points in nine games. He said the tournament was a learning experience — in part, no doubt, because he remained disappointed at not being picked for Team Canada in the Olympics.

"The world championships were a great experience for me for three weeks, and I think I learned a lot from Brendan Shanahan and the other guys," he said.

Now that Crosby has proven he is one of the NHL's top players, his next career goal is to get the Penguins back to being winners. Even with Crosby in their lineup last season, they finished last in the Atlantic Division for a fourth consecutive season.

"As a group, we want to move forward and win hockey games, and that's what I want as an individual, too," he said.

The following SidneyCrosby poll is now closed.  Here are the
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CHOICES AND RESULTS
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Companies lining up to sign Crosby

Hamilton Spectator File Photo Hockey player Sidney Crosby is said to receive $500,000 to endorse Subway.

Sid the Kid stand-in a model citizen
By MIKE KOREEN

The next time you watch that Sidney Crosby Gatorade commercial where
everyone is throwing hockey sticks in a pile, take a good look at Sid
the Kid's body.

In parts of the commercial, it belongs to none other than Argos
receiver Michael Palmer.

The University of Guelph graduate, who has made strides in the world
of modelling and acting, is Crosby's body-double in the television ad
and enjoyed working with the Pittsburgh Penguins rookie phenom.

"We were hanging out on the set for two days (in Toronto)," Palmer,
25, said yesterday. "He is cool, man, down to earth, just relaxed like
this team. He's just another dude, you know what I mean?"

Palmer is not a dead-ringer for Crosby, but his ties to the athletic
world and his similar stature (5-foot-10, 187 pounds) helped his cause
when it came to landing the gig.

"I guess I sort of (look like him)," Palmer said. "But it's not the
look and the facial features. It's the similar body type, same weight,
those kind of things."

The fourth-year CFLer also walked down the runway this past off-season
in a fashion show at the Liberty Grand.

"I've always wanted to do it," Palmer said of modelling. "I'm not
going to say it's easy money, but playing football, the fact that I'm
in shape and look good or whatever, this is kind of an industry I can
go into very easily. It's a lot easier than football. It doesn't
really take that much work."

What if Playgirl comes calling?

"I'm not going to get into that stuff," he said with a smile. "I want
to keep it classy."

Crosby ready to rest, relax

By Karen Price
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, June 2, 2006

Ninety games and nearly eight months after Sidney Crosby's rookie
season in the NHL began, the 18-year-old Penguins center is ready for
a break.

"I'm going to go back home," Crosby said on Thursday morning in the
empty Penguins locker room at Mellon Arena. "It's been a while since
I've been back there, so it's going to be nice to go back and relax
for a bit and then get training going. But that's where I'll spend
most of my time."

Crosby stopped in Pittsburgh to gather some things from Mario
Lemieux's house -- where he plans to live again next year -- in
between returning from the World Championship in Latvia, vacationing
in Prague and heading home to Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, this weekend.

The brief visit back to his in-season hometown gave Crosby a chance to
say hello to his team's new general manager, Ray Shero.

"I met him yesterday for the first time," Crosby said of Shero, who
was introduced as Craig Patrick's replacement May 25. "He seems like a
great guy, and he's really passionate. I think it should be great for
everyone, and we're all looking forward to getting started."

Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, was believed to be among those with an
interest in the position and may have been among the "quite a few"
candidates with whom Penguins president and CEO Ken Sawyer spoke. But
Crosby said because he was overseas since shortly after the Penguins'
season ended, he didn't follow the search.

He said his first meeting with Shero, 43, served as an introduction.

"He just kind of asked me how the World Championship went and things
like that," said Crosby, who also expected to sit down with coach
Michel Therrien before heading home. "But, hopefully, I get a chance
to get to know him, and I'm sure he, like everyone else, is looking
forward to getting things started."

Shero said the team's crop of talented young players, headed by
Crosby, was one of the main reasons he chose Pittsburgh, and the new
general manager has a reputation for taking input from the people
around him. Crosby said if Shero turns to him for his two cents, he'd
offer it.

"I think if it's asked, I'll be up front and honest. I don't think
I'll hide anything," he said. "But at the same time, I don't think
I'll be someone who's going to go there and try to direct things by
any means. My job is to play, and I'm going to go out there and try to
do that.

"If my opinion's asked, I'm going to give my up-front answer, but I'm
not going to be looking to change anything. That's up to the GM and
the organization to do those things. As players, we have to play, so
that's what I'm going to worry about."

Crosby a worldwide leader

By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, June 2, 2006

In the end, Sidney Crosby's experience at hockey's World Championship
in Latvia was both invaluable and bittersweet.

Although he punctuated his resume with an exclamation point, Sid The
Kid was unable to deliver the gold for his native Canada (or the
silver or bronze for that matter). Crosby also had injury added to
insult when Swede Mika Hannula delivered a cross-check to Crosby's jaw
in a quarterfinal matchup.

Hannula earned a game misconduct for trying to rearrange Crosby's face.

Crosby was provided with a prime example of how competitive it can get
when the participants are playing for something other than a paycheck.

"That's part of it sometimes," Crosby said Thursday morning, when the
Penguins made him available for an informal get-together with local
media. "I was able to come out of it fine.

"The guy might have thought that I was whacking the goalie, because
the puck was there. I guess that's a possibility."

Another possibility is that the Swedes had identified Crosby as a
player they were not going to allow to beat them.

Crosby, 18, was well on his way to earning Most Outstanding Forward
honors by then. While doing so, Crosby became the youngest player to
lead the World Championship in scoring (with eight goals and eight
assists in nine games), a distinction that had belonged to Canada's
Gordon "Red" Berenson since 1959.

But beyond the statistical brilliance he was able to maintain, Crosby
was exposed to an environment and atmosphere that will accelerate his
development as a leader and a winner in the NHL.

The World Championship isn't the Stanley Cup final, but nor is it the
World Junior Championship. The tournament is held in high regard
around the globe, and the Europeans who take part are serious about
winning, regardless of whether they're NHL regulars.

No wonder no North American "phenom" had dominated the proceedings as
Crosby did since Wayne Gretzky.

"It was a high level," of competition, Crosby said. "The European game
is a little different with the big ice.

"And when you're playing with guys that want to be over there, that
want to play for Team Canada and are finished the (NHL) season but
still are there competing, you benefit in that way because you're
still playing at a high level and pushing yourself as you would in a
playoff situation."

Crosby didn't sniff the playoffs as an NHL rookie.

But in his first World Championship he got an education, not unlike
the one Mario Lemieux received playing in the 1987 Canada Cup.

"Playing with a guy like Brendan Shanahan, he's a great leader and
he's won Stanley Cups, and getting to know him, seeing how he leads a
team is unique," Crosby said. "You go there and you want to play well.
If you're not going there with the frame of mind of playing well and
winning the gold medal you shouldn't be going. I think we all realized
it's important to play for your country and I think we all had a great
time doing it.

"I'll definitely benefit from the experience."

So will the Penguins.

CROSBY GRATEFUL FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE
by Joe Sager
pittsburghpenguins.com

Sidney Crosby dazzled the NHL during his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Penguins this year.

If anyone outside of North America had any doubts about Crosby's electrifying skills, they certainly know what No. 87 is all about now.

Crosby amazed on the global stage during the IIHF World Championships, which were held in Latvia throughout May.

Only 18, Crosby led the tournament with eight goals and 16 points in nine games for Team Canada. He recorded at least a point in Canada's first eight games. To put it all into perspective, Crosby became the youngest player – and only 18-year-old – ever to win a scoring title at the World Championship in the tournament's modern era (since the U.S.S.R. joined international hockey in 1954). Canada's Red Berenson (1959) and Jim Logan (1956) were the previous youngest players to capture World Championship scoring titles. Both were 19.

Sidney Crosby is the youngest player to win a World Championship scoring title. Photo by Getty Images

Crosby, who named the tournament's top forward and selected to the media all-star team, centered a line with Brad Boyes and Patrice Bergeron. The trio combined for 38 points. Boyes had eight points (4+4), while Bergeron was second overall to his friend Crosby in the points race with 14 (6+8).

"It was fun because we've played together in the past," Crosby said. "Berge is a good guy and a lot of fun. Anytime you get to play for Team Canada and play with guys you know, it's great."

In addition, Crosby got to skate alongside a solid veteran and leader in Brendan Shanahan. He joined Team Canada right after his Detroit Red Wings were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs. Shanahan was named Canada's captain, while Crosby was an alternate captain – the same distinction he earned with the Penguins this year.

"To have a captain like Brendan Shanahan was a good learning experience. It was great to play with him," Crosby said. "He has won three Stanley Cups and an Olympic gold medal. He's won pretty much everything, so there wasn't a better guy really to learn from over there. To have him come over when he didn't have to after going through a long season and playoffs was really nice."

Canada won its first seven games, but dropped a 5-4 decision to eventual champ Sweden in the semifinals.

"It was just bad luck. We had a bit of a tough start, but for the rest of the game we played well," Crosby said. "In the second and third we deserved to win, but we had a couple pucks go off our own guys and we had a little trouble finishing late in the game."

Then, Finland blanked Canada, 5-0, to claim the bronze medal.

"It's a one game [situation] and anything could happen, but it was still a good experience nonetheless," Crosby said. "I was hoping we'd get a medal so I could come back and have some bragging rights on Malone and Hilby and guys like that."

Crosby was one of seven Penguins to participate in the tournament. He joined Ryan Malone, Andy Hilbert and Brooks Orpik (Team USA), Tomas Surovy (Slovakia), Jani Rita (Finland) and prospect Evgeni Malkin (Russia) from the organization to participate in the tournament.

Crosby was glad to extend his season and believes the high level of competition only enhanced his skills.

"It's tough to be done with the [NHL] season that early. It's never fun. I had never really experienced being off that early, so it was great to get more hockey in," he said. "It was a great level of hockey and I think I am probably better for it. Hopefully, I can use that experience to make myself better."

Canadian ice hockey star Crosby in Czech Republic

18-year-old Canadian ice hockey star Sidney Crosby is vacationing in
the Czech Republic, following an invitation from a former Czech
team-mate from the junior league in Rimouski, Quebec. Crosby arrived
in Prague from Riga, Latvia, following the end of the 2006 World Ice
Hockey Championship, where Team Canada finished outside the medals.
The Czech Republic finished with silver. Crosby - last year's No. 1
draft pick in the NHL - has said he hopes to spend a few days in the
Czech Republic 'incognito'.

Crosby's star shines at Worlds

Tuesday, May 23, 2006
By Shelly Anderson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Penguins rookie center Sidney Crosby didn't get to participate in the
NHL playoffs. He wasn't chosen to play for Team Canada in the Turin
Olympics earlier this year.

He no doubt made hockey fans wish he had been involved in both after
his performance in the hockey world championships in Riga, Latvia.

At 18, Crosby was one of the most dominant players in the tournament.
He became the youngest player to lead the world championships in
scoring with 16 points in nine games and led all players with eight
goals for Canada, which finished fourth.

Crosby yesterday was named the top forward and made the tournament
all-star team along with forwards Alex Ovechkin of Russia and Dave
Vyborny of the Czech Republic, defensemen Niklas Kronwell of Sweden
and Petteri Nummelin of Finland, and goaltender Andrei Mezin of Belarus.

After being taken first overall in the 2005 NHL draft, Crosby became
the youngest NHL player to record 100 points and finished with 102,
breaking Mario Lemieux's team rookie record for assists and points.

Penguins prospect Evgeni Malkin, 19, the second overall NHL draft pick
in 2004, tied for fifth in scoring at the world championships with
three goals, nine points in seven games for Russia.

The Penguins and Malkin are hopeful he will join the NHL team for the
2006-07 season, something that is primarily dependent on the NHL and
Russia coming to terms on a transfer agreement.

PENGUINS TO PLAY TWO PRESEASON GAMES IN CANADIAN MARITIMES
05/15/2006

The Pittsburgh Penguins will play two preseason games in the Canadian
Maritimes in September, the club announced Monday.

The Penguins will meet the Ottawa Senators in Halifax, Nova Scotia on
Tuesday, Sept. 19 and will take on the Philadelphia Flyers in Moncton,
New Brunswick on Wednesday, Sept. 20.

Penguins scoring sensation Sidney Crosby, who became the youngest
player in NHL history to score 100 points in the 2005-06 season, is a
native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, near Halifax.

"We are looking forward to traveling to the Maritimes for two games in
September, and we are sure that the fans there will be enthused to see
Sidney Crosby and our exciting young team," Penguins CEO Ken Sawyer
said. "Having the chance to play against top teams such as the
Senators and the Flyers will be great preparation for the 2006-07 NHL
season."

Penguins training camp information, and the remainder of the preseason
schedule, will be announced at a later date. As always, the club will
open training camp in Pittsburgh and will play two preseason games at
Mellon Arena.

Crosby leads way at Worlds

By Karen Price
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, May 13, 2006

Penguins forward Sidney Crosby led all scorers at the International
Ice Hockey Federation World Championships through games ending Thursday.

Crosby, 18, had five goals and four assists in his first four games
for Canada at the tournament, being played in Latvia. His five goals
also was a tournament-high, leading Washington Capitals forward
Alexander Ovechkin (four goals, two assists for six points in four
games for Russia) by one goal.

Penguins top prospect Evgeni Malkin (four goals, two assists in four
games) was tied with Ovechkin and Canada's Jason Williams for third in
points with six.

Forward Andy Hilbert was the second-leading scorer for the United
States through three games with no goals and two assists. Ryan Malone
had one assist in the United States' first three games, while
defenseman Brooks Orpik had no points.

Philadelphia Flyers forward and Plum native R.J. Umberger was held
without a point in his first game for the U.S..

Playing for Slovakia, Tomas Surovy was tied for the lead in scoring
for his country with two goals and two assists in four games, and Jani
Rita had one goal through three games for Finland.