BOSTON — Sidney Crosby has seen plenty of success not just in the National Hockey League, where he has won three Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Penguins captain is also the best hockey player to represent Canada at the international level, and Crosby has the opportunity to add to his legacy Thursday night in the 4 Nations Face-Off gold medal game.
Crosby’s display of excellence in the round-robin portion of the tournament has reminded everyone of the elite hockey sense the 37-year-old forward has, whether he is donning the black and gold for the Penguins or the red and white for his country. His five points across three games in the tournament tied him with USA defenseman Zach Werenski for the lead among all skaters heading into the championship game.
His record on the international stage speaks for itself:
- Two Olympic Gold Medals
- One World Cup of Hockey Gold Medal
- One IIHF World Gold Medal
- One World Junior Gold Medal
On the international stage, he has 67 points (29 goals and 38 assists) in 52 games. Plain and simple, Crosby is elite and no one comes close the numbers he has put up in Canadian hockey
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Team USA and Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has been at the helm in Pittsburgh for 10 of Crosby’s 20 years in the NHL. He knows exactly the type of player Crosby is.
He’s a terrific person and a fierce competitor.,” Sullivan said eaarlier this week. “His body of work in the league and his legacy as a hockey player speaks for itself.”
To many, including Team Canada coach Jon Cooper, Crosby “walks on water.” The national team has gone 47-6 with Crosby in uniform, dating to the 2004 World Juniors, and if Crosby leads Canada to win the final game of the 4 Nations tournament against the Unites States, it will further cement his legacy in the sport.
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Featured image via Eric Bolte/Imagn Images