It’s hard to believe that Sidney Crosby is only 26 years old, considering he has already played in eight seasons.
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain turned 26 today; celebrating his birthday with the date used as a superstitious charm for the superstar from Nova Scotia.
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But it’s been more than luck that has catapulted Crosby to the top of the charts in the NHL. If anything, Crosby has dealt with a bit of bad luck throughout his eight year career.
In 2011, he suffered a severe concussion that forced him to miss 101 games over the next two seasons. Last season, Sid missed a quarter of the regular season with a broken jaw after taking a puck to the face on March 30th.
And yet, despite these injuries, the good still outweighs the bad by a considerable amount.
Sidney Crosby is a Stanley Cup Champion and a Gold Medal finalist. He has won the Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy, Ted Lindsay award (2x), and a four time All-Star. With the fourth highest point-per game total in the history of the NHL, Crosby has earned every award.
What makes Crosby the best player in hockey? His work ethic and demand for perfection in every facet of the game. When he trains in the offseason, he not only works on his strengths but also his weaknesses. In his first two seasons with the Penguins, Crosby struggled in the face-off circle, winning less than half of his chances. He’s averaged nearly 55% face-off wins in three of his last four seasons.
After his fourth NHL season, Crosby realized he needed to become a more prolific goal scorer. The following year, he shared the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL leader in goals with 51.
Perhaps one of the biggest changes in Crosby’s game has been his maturity. The clips of him yelling at referees and opposing players seem to be fewer and fewer over the last two seasons. In other words, he’s come a long way since having players point to him after scoring a power play goal off of his penalty.
Sidney Crosby has had a brilliant career at this point with his best years still potentially ahead. He may never reach Wayne Gretzky’s numbers, but he could very well end up in the top ten by the end of his career. For now, the Pittsburgh Penguins and their fans, will be treated to watching Sidney Crosby as he enters his prime.
Photo The Pens Nation
