The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to show what a classy organization they are on and off the ice. From owner to equipment manager, there is no team in the NHL that exemplifies true passion, loyalty and total class for their team.
First and foremost, the Penguins were destined to be liquidated and forced to leave town. Mario Lemieux was still owed $26 million from his contract which would have subsequently been the end of the Penguins in Pittsburgh. Lemieux’s purchase of the Penguins marked the first time a former professional athlete has swapped a fraction of his salary for ownership of a team. Lemieux believed it was time to give something back to the fans who supported him throughout his career, thus converting his salary into a lead ownership in the team. In doing so, Lemiuex would prove to critics that he was committed to keeping hockey in the city where he played his entire career, raised two cups and is known as one of the greatest players of all time. In his career, Lemieux amassed 613 goals, 881 assists and 1 crucial save.
Sidney Crosby has had a bullseye on his back since the day he entered the NHL. However, when you are marked as the next big thing and then deliver with such grace as Crosby has, you’re going to be a marked man. Crosby is the face of the NHL and for good reason(s). For the last six years, Crosby has been at the top of the NHL in merchandise sales since his arrival. As we know, Crosby has been labeled a whiner. However, Crosby is viewed as the best player in the NHL by his peers unanimously. There is simply nobody in the league today that matches Crosby’s determination and passion for the game. Furthermore, Crosby is a winner. Crosby has won Lord Stanley, a gold medal, the Hart Memorial Trophy, the scoring title and the Maurice Richard Trophy. More importantly, in all of his success, Crosby has been a complete professional, a total class act.
Evgeni Malkin is the quiet soft spoken type that prefers to do his talking with his actions on the ice. However, this week Malkin, a Russian born player, raised eyebrows and people from their chairs to applaud his open door policy to a gay player. This is relevant when you consider the controversy surrounding gay rights and the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin continue to pave the way for how a professional team should perform on and off the ice. The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a class of their own.
