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Q: Is there a moment in one of the Stanley Cup celebrations that was a standout to you?

Ian Cole: There’s a lot of them. What rating does your podcast have? (We’re triple X, so go for it!) Well, I probably have some of those too to be honest (laughs).

But it was a lot of fun. Kinda the Penguins tradition is to take the Stanley Cup into the pool, right, whether it’s at Mario’s house or Sid’s house. And the first year, we were at Mario’s house and Sid was like, ‘Yeah, let’s go take this in the pool’. And the cup handlers were there… They were like, ‘No, we’re not going into the pool this year. Don’t even think about it. We’re definitely not going into the pool. We can’t have it filled with water at the bottom of the pool again, Sid’.

And Sid’s like, ‘Oh, totally. Yeah, we’re definitely not doing that’. And they’re like, ‘No. Seriously. We’re not going into the pool’.

And he’s like, ‘No, no, definitely not. I’m just gonna go and grab a drink’. So he grabs the Cup, went in, grabs a drink. A couple of minutes later, he walks out in his bathing suit. And he walks straight to the pool and jumps in. (laughs)

So they were just like, ‘Oh god *facepalm*. What are we doin’? We’re back in the pool again with the Cup.’

But luckily everyone was still coherent enough at that time to not let it sink to the bottom of the pool. Because the bottom on the cup isn’t airtight, so when that thing fills with water, it’s full of water, and the water’s not coming out very easily. So that 35 pound cup turns into about a 100 pounds when filled with water, and it’s tough to get out.

It was just a ton of fun in the pool. Mario was bringing out cases of Dom Perignon. Guys were spraying it everywhere. That pool was probably like, half-Dom Perignon by the end of the night.

...agent of chaos Sidney Crosby. also the next year, they jumped into the pool with the cup AGAIN (this time at Sid’s) - mario with all his clothes on.

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Crosby also remembers Keith Tkachuk's hockey-crazed sons Matthew and Brady - who were 9 and 7 at the time - running around and playing mini sticks. Crosby posed for a picture with them at some point during the weekend, as both boys were big fans of the Penguins captain.

Now that the Tkachuk brothers are All-Stars themselves, and shared that Eastern Conference locker room as Crosby's teammates during this weekend's festivities in Florida, Matthew - who finished as MVP - said they found themselves 'in awe' of him … and made sure to recreate that photo.

"It's a guy you grew up watching and looking up to, not only his game, but the leadership off the ice and all that," Brady said. "So to be able to kind of just see him, have some conversations with him over this weekend - it kind of makes you feel like a fanboy again."

Hearing Crosby's peers speak of him with reverence is certainly nothing new.

"It's awesome to be around him. Kind of intimidating sometimes," admitted Johnny Gaudreau, who got the locker stall next to Crosby in his ninth All-Star Game, and first in the Eastern Conference now that the former Flame is with Columbus. "But just such a normal guy. It's just great to be around him, and it's just a really cool experience for me."

Oilers superstar Connor McDavid, regarded as the reigning best player in the league, has repeatedly referenced how he's never won the way Sid has, with Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner saying the Golden Goal from the 2010 Olympics went "viral" in his household.

"I grew up with a couple of those Crosby Reebok sticks. Those were one of my favorite sticks growing up," said Marner, who rode with Crosby from their hotel to the rink for the All-Star Game on Saturday afternoon, with the fans loving their interactions together. "Anything that had the Crosby name on it, I wanted it in my hands."

Speaking of sticks, Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy, a two-time Stanley Cup Champion and Vezina Trophy winner as the league's best goalie, wasn't sure what to write when he exchanged twigs with Crosby … but that the inscription would likely include the word 'legend.' That's the same word his fellow Russian, Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov, used multiple times when referring to Crosby.

But in speaking with some of the younger guys around the league that are in leadership positions for their respective clubs - like Brady as captain of the Ottawa Senators at age 23, and Nick Suzuki as captain of the Montreal Canadiens, also at age 23 - what stood out this year is not just those fun anecdotes … but also how they spoke unprompted about the example Crosby provides to them with how he carries himself. 

"He's really, really well spoken," Suzuki said. "Down to earth guy. Probably doesn't know how big of an idol he is to everyone around him. So it's cool to see that, just how humble he is. And he works extremely hard, so he's a great guy to learn from."

-It Never Gets Old Having Crosby at All-Star Weekend

wow they’re all so horny for him…

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“i knew he was trouble. it was nice and refreshing.”  SIDNEY CROSBY, SPLASH SHOT | NHL ASG WEEKEND ‘23

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we had a breakdown over some Unwholesome slutty sid content yesterday so here’s some wholesome content from the athletic on sid

It was 2016 in Minnesota and an aggravated coach Mike Sullivan was searching for the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins following a loss to the Wild. Sullivan needed to speak with Sidney Crosby and was walking briskly on the event level of Xcel Energy Center.

Then, he stopped in his tracks.

Around the corner outside of the Penguins’ locker room, Crosby, minus his jersey but otherwise still wearing his equipment, was sitting on the floor. Speaking with a child in a wheelchair, Crosby sat so that he could better make eye contact. He often does this. Sullivan executed a U-turn while his captain sat with the child for 20 minutes, a scene that unfolds countless times across North America every season.

Thousands upon thousands of people have flocked to arenas for decades to watch Crosby play hockey since was a boy. Crosby’s greater mission, though, has always been to comfort the sick and unlucky among us with an uncommon grace and thoughtfulness that is uniquely his own.

“There’s never been anyone like him before,” former Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said. “And there will never be anyone like him after.”

The widely held belief that the world of professional sports doesn’t showcase any authentic role models is inaccurate so long as Sidney Patrick Crosby walks among us.

“You always hear that saying,” Bobby Orr said. “You know, that so and so is a better person than he is a player. Well, the great thing about Sid is, he’s one of the five greatest players in history. There’s no question about that. But he actually is a better person than he is a player. Now, think about that. I love him.”

On the ice, he is a living legend. The massive legs, the impenetrable ability to protect the puck, the greatest backhand ever, the cannon-like burst of speed through the neutral zone, the rare playmaking ability, the tenacity, the intelligence, the determination, the precociousness as a teenager, the longevity as a thirty-something and the ability to score goals on hockey’s biggest stage are all indelible trademarks of his greatness.

The mythology of Crosby off the ice, however, may be even more worthy of inclusion in the history books and it is very much rooted in reality. He’s not just an ambassador for hockey, but an ambassador of kindness.

“He was like that even as a little boy,” said Troy Crosby, his father. “He was getting so much attention when he was little, and then as he became a teenager. It could have gone to his head. He could have gotten a big ego. All Sidney ever cared about was taking care of other people.”

Crosby made his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2005, in New Jersey. It was a zoo after the morning skate. Hockey was back after a year-long lockout, Crosby’s debut was being made in the New York area against Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur and it was Mario Lemieux’s 40th birthday. While he was the center of attention, Crosby, who had turned 18 two months earlier, wasn’t concerned about himself.

“He was giving these interviews and there were people everywhere” said Tom McMillan, the former Penguins’ vice president of communications. “But he noticed, in the hallway outside of the locker room, that his mom was being surrounded by reporters. He was worried about her. She was fine, but he was worried about her. So he comes up to me and says, ‘Hey, can you make sure my mom is OK?’ From the very beginning, he was worried about everyone but himself. He never changed.”

Including his salary and endorsements, Crosby has earned in the neighborhood of $200 million in his career. His father isn’t the only one who says Crosby hasn’t changed. His teammates agree. Team employees agree. Even living legends like Orr agree.

There is a simple explanation for this, Crosby insists.

“I don’t think money ever gives you the vehicle to treat anyone differently or to be disrespectful,” he said. “I get to do what I love to do and I’m very appreciative of that. I don’t take that for granted one bit, regardless of what my pay is. I get to do what I love. The least I can do is treat people well along the way.”

Crosby’s legend in the Penguins organization is such that his contributions to society draw biblical comparisons.

Literally.

“I always say that he’s like a child of God,” former Penguins broadcaster Paul Steigerwald said. “That’s how I’ve always seen him. He has a certain light in his eyes that I always notice. He’s a genuinely good soul. People often give credit to a person’s parents for raising a great kid. I totally get that and they did a great job. But I also see a natural soulfulness to Sid that is innate and not necessarily learned.”

Crosby is a role model, and he knows it. He embraces it.

“I’ve been around a while and I’ve met a lot of people,” Rutherford said. “I’ve never met anyone like him. He only does things for the right reasons. And he cares about people so very much. Other players of his stature don’t always act like this. But he’s different. And you see it most when it comes to the way he treats children.”

The Penguins are the NHL’s oldest team, thus, many players have children. During the Stanley Cup years in 2016 and 2017, it was commonplace for Matt Cullen’s children to be hanging on Crosby after playoff wins, as they would naturally gravitate to the best player in the world who just happened to be the nicest guy in the room.

Crosby, in fact, has been known to have spirited mini-sticks games with Nikita Malkin. And yet, his treatment of children isn’t confined to the children of his teammates.

One story lives in Crosby lore.

It was Jan. 11, 2014. The Penguins had just won in Calgary, 2-1, in the weeks leading up to the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. After the game, the Penguins departed to their bus on a frigid Alberta evening.

While sitting on the bus, Crosby noticed a handful of teenagers standing behind a fence, which was located on a steep hill beside the Saddledome. They were chanting Crosby’s name and had signs wishing him well in the Olympics.

Upon seeing this, Crosby, dress shoes and all, sprinted up the steep, icy hill. He not only signed all of their jerseys but talked hockey with them for a few minutes before slowly coasting back down the hill.

“I’ll never forget seeing that,” Steigerwald said. “Who else does that?”

Not many people would do such a thing, it can be presumed. But Rutherford saw it every day while he was the general manager of the Penguins.

“The way he treats children is the single most impressive thing I’ve ever seen in my career,” Rutherford said. “When you see those groups of people who want autographs, you have to be careful. A lot of those groups have people that are there every day and looking to sell autographs. But I’ll tell you this about Sid: Never, not one time, has he ever passed by a child who wanted an autograph. No child is ever left behind. I’ve seen him sign autographs and then get on the team bus. Then, he sees a kid pop up who didn’t get his autograph signed. So, he always gets off the bus and makes sure the kid has an autograph and a picture with him. He understands the effect he has on people, but he’s the farthest thing from arrogant you could possibly imagine.”

Crosby is a regular at the UMPC Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. While the Penguins do occasionally orchestrate team visits that Crosby naturally takes part in, he’s a regular at the hospital. He does so on his own time.

No cameras. No reporters. No attention.

“I’ll be honest with you,” Troy Crosby said. “That’s the way he wants it. It means a lot to him to spend time with kids, just him and the kids. He doesn’t want people knowing about it and he goes to lengths to keep it that way.”

Crosby seems miffed when others are blown away by his character. To him, to be polite, generous and thoughtful is simply natural.

“Treating people the right way has always been important to me,” Crosby said. “Whether it’s your teammates, people you see at the rink, fans, kids, whatever. You’re supposed to be good to people in life. You’re supposed to be respectful. So, that’s what I try to do every day. It’s always been a very important thing to me.”

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sidney crosby in the dunk tank! nhl all star skills 2023

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2023 NHL All-Star | Splash Shot February 2, 2023

© Brian Babineau

#!!!!!!!!!!

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Practice | 2023 NHL Winter Classic January 1, 2023

© Joe Sargent

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can’t believe i woke up to be traumatised by this game and to be confronted with the sidstache looking… acceptable

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reunited 🥺

also… dangerous curve ahead:

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he is insane and this is relevant again

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2021 sid

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2022 NHL Player Media Tour | September 15, 2022

© Brian Babineau

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a pair of idiots

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10 years in the nhl; here’s to (at least) 10 more

happy birthday, sid the kid!

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the hatty. the hatty WHAT

yeah..... your captain is gross but you already knew that ;___;

Q: Can you talk about some of his pre-game superstitions? ...The one that I’m obviously alluding to: a bowel movement could result in a hat trick.

A: It was a hat trick bowel movement! Absolutely. It happened. No word of a lie, it happened. And it happened again later. So it’s, like, kind of crazy. It was just, like, funny. It was just more funny, like, guy stuff. He would definitely keep the routines. Like, go in hard. You’ve heard tons of other stories. About having the same conversations with guys day in, day out just to keep it going. And that’s a level of commitment that is unbelievable (laughs).

Q: That’s what I’m saying. When you think that if you have a rough bowel movement, you’re gonna have a hat trick because of it, are you goin’ out of your way to, like, eat Indian food or something the next day? Or are you just kind of playing it organically?

A: Yeah, organically. A lot of the stuff wasn’t organically. That was just, like, a goofy thing. But going to dinner the night before at the same place and hopefully getting the same table. Your stall in the road dressing room being in the same spot every single time. Setting your stuff up in the room the exact same way in your stall at the exact same time. Getting a piece of gum at the exact same time. Getting a bottle of water and mixing it with a Gatorade. It just goes on and on and on and on and on and on (laughs).

It is absolutely nuts... He’s fun to talk about because he’s Sidney Crosby and his routines are well-known, or his superstitions as you wanna call it. But everyone else has bought into these. Like, you get sucked into the Sid superstitions and your own superstitions and it just keeps building and building and building. Made it kind of fun too.

also gotta include jordan staal talking about sid making him.... lube up his stick every game too because.... boys............

"I always enjoyed his superstitions. I always thought they were pretty funny. And he did it just to do it sometimes. And it always made me laugh.

One time before a game, I don’t know what I was doin’ but I guess I wanted to spit in the garbage can, and I guess his stick was a little close to it. And I missed the garbage can and it landed on his blade. He gave me the eyeball but he didn’t really say much else so I’m like, ‘All right’. And then sure enough, Sid - who pretty much does this every other night - scores a hat trick.

Didn’t think much of it but for the following I don’t know how many games it was - probably the rest of the season - he would stick his stick right in my mouth and I had to spit on it before every game.

There were others. I think I had a zit on my nose one time, and I had a big game. So every time we ever felt a big zit comin’ on, you know, we’d oil up our nose to try to get a zit to hopefully have another big game."

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tumblr flagged my first set as too spicy. seems right

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out and about