saveandabeaut

 

Last season, the Atlantic Division was among the most competitive divisions in the NHL as four of the five teams made the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh made it to the Eastern Conference Finals and Pittsburgh moved on to lose in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Penguins, Devils, Rangers, and Flyers also made up four of the top five point getters in the Eastern Conference. This year may be a bit different, but still expect three teams from this division to make the playoffs. Can Pittsburgh do something that has not happened since the ’83 Oilers and win a Stanley Cup after losing it the previous year? Can Brian Rolston help New Jersey to the top again? Or will the star-studded Rangers finally take the top spot?

5th Place: New York Islanders

When the Head Coach and GM have major disagreements on how to run the team, you’re not going to do very well. That’s what happened last season when GM Garth Snow wanted to play many of the younger guys and give them experience while Coach Ted Nolan wanted to win right away. That problem no longer exists as the Islanders brought in a new Head Coach in Scott Gordon. 
 

The Islanders lost Miroslav Satan, Ruslan Fedotenko, and Joseph Vasicek. However, the three were under performing and the new additions of Mark Streit and Doug Weight can hopefully fill the spots. Weight will return to play with former teammate Bill Guerin as the Islanders hope those two can have another productive season at the end of the careers. Mark Streit and Chris Campoli will secure the blue line as the team’s top defensemen. If the Islanders want to go anywhere, Rick Dipietro will have to perform as one of the league’s best goaltenders, which is easier said than done. 
 

The youth on the team will be the future and none more potent than forward Kyle Okposo (right). A former Golden Gopher player, Okposo should have a season good enough to contend for the Calder Trophy. Still, I see the Islanders finishing around the same 79 points from a year ago, and another last place finish.

4th Place: Philadelphia Flyers

This was a tough one, putting the Flyers all the way down into fourth place. Although the Flyers made it to the Eastern Conference finals last year, they still finished sixth in the East and overachieved in the playoffs. Although predicted so low, don’t worry, they’ll still make the playoffs. 

Remember, defense wins championships, and when looking at the goaltending here compared to the teams ahead of them, Martin Biron and JS Aubin just don’t stand up. 

On the offensive side of the puck, the Flyers do return six 20-goal scorers. Danny Briere is expected to top his 72 points from last season, but a big deal will be improving his –22 rating. If Simon Gagne returns (providing he is healthy), this will boost the team as well. The development of younger players such as Mike Richards and Jeff Carter will influence the direction of the team too because they were two of the top four point getters last year in Philadelphia. The major loss was that RJ Umberger had to be shipped to Columbus for salary cap reasons.

The defense in the City of Brotherly Love is quite the opposite. Only one member of the starting six is below 6’ 2” and 200 lbs. The rough and tough squad proved to stand tall in last year’s playoffs, but this could hurt the Flyers against the fastest teams in the league. Only because they are part of one of the toughest divisions in hockey are they projected so low, but I still think they are good for another 90-point season. The brightest years are still ahead.

3rd Place: New Jersey Devils

Last season, the magic number was 11, and it wasn’t good. That was the number times they were shutout; one out of every seven games. It doesn’t matter how good Martin Brodeur plays in those types of games, they aren’t going to win. So what did the Devils do? They went out and spent money in the free agency market. 

Brian Rolston (right), with one of the hardest shots in the NHL, returns to New Jersey as well as Bobby Holik, who led them to two Stanley Cups. Brian Gionta will be expected to improve his 53 points from last season with help from the team leader in points, Zach Parise. 

On defense, Paul Martin is the new Brian Rafalski, although only producing about half as many points. He is the puck moving defenseman that the Devils so desperately need. John Madden will no doubt be one of the best defenseman on the team too, even though he is a forward. Madden is always good for being one of the best defensive forwards as well as producing a decent amount of points.

The biggest question is if Martin Brodeur keep playing 76 games a season. Responsible of winning 44 of the team’s 46 games last season, he will have to do it again because the backups are not very good. I see the Devils producing around 95 points this year, down just a few from the ’08 season.

2nd Place: New York Rangers

The underachieving Rangers from last season took a second consecutive second round playoff round exit. Although Jaromir Jagr, Martin Straka, and Sean Avery are gone, expect this team to edge up in the division and produce closer to their full potential. 

The Rangers were another team making a splash in the free agency market…yet again. They signed former 48-goal scorer Marcus Naslund and defensemen Wade Redden and Dimitri Kalinin. With the addition of Redden and Kalinin, the Rangers have one of the better defenses in the league. Along with the two big signings, youngster Marc Staal, Paul Mara, Michael Rozival, and Daniel Girardi bolster the tough Blueshirt’s defense. And of course in net is King Henrik Lundqvist and his 10 shutouts from a year ago.

The Rangers forwards must play at a higher level this year for the team to move anywhere up in the standings. Scott Gomez, Brendan Shanahan, and Chris Drury each experienced a decrease in their points total last year and the Rangers were 23rd in the league in scoring. These are the three veterans that will be expected to lead the way once again, and there is no reason why they can’t. The key addition was the trade for Nikolai Zherdev. The production from the speedy former Blue Jacket will be needed on offense as well.

The Mats Sundin rumors are still flying through the air, but who knows when he will ever make up his mind. The addition of him to this team could be enough to put them over the top. As for now, they are still a 2nd tier team in their division. The offense is the key to this year as the defense is solid enough. I see them finishing just around 100 points, a slight increase from last year.

1st Place: Pittsburgh Penguins

Winning the Stanley Cup the year after losing it has proved to be a very tough thing to do over the years. But why can’t the Penguins do it? They may have lost Marian Hossa, Gary Roberts, Ryan Malone, Adam Hall, Georges Laraque and Jarko Ruutu, but it seems as if every single one of those players has been replaced. Oh yea, and the Penguins still have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, two of the top players in the league.

Dipping into free agency, the Penguins signed Miroslav Satan to replace Hossa. Ruslan Fedotenko (right), a former Stanley Cup Winner, signed as well. Matt Cooke and Eric Godard were signed to replace the tough guys on the third and fourth lines.

The scoring of Jordan Staal will be expected to return to the likes of his rookie year (29 goals). Staal only scored 12 goals last season and his potential is so much more. If Sidney Crosby does not get injured again, he and Malkin could easily pass the 100-point mark which would be a first for any team in a while, with two 100-point scorers.

The defense remains pretty much the same for the Penguins. Ryan Whitney is injured and out until January, but there are a few prospects like Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski waiting in the wings. Sergei Gonchar is still one of the best defenseman in hockey and Hal Gill and Mark Eaton add for some veteran leadership. 

Marc-Andre Fleury should produce numbers like he did in the second half of the ’08 season. His amazing numbers will be needed again as Ty Conklin left the team and Danny Sabourin is left as backup. This is the weakest point on the team, but it shouldn’t be a problem. The Penguins will finish first in their division and better their 102 points from last season.

Michael Thomas Modano was born on June 7, 1970 in Livonia, Michigan to Michael, Sr. and Karen Modano.  Mike has two older sisters, Sandy and Linda.

An energetic young boy, Mike found the sport of hockey at the age of 7.  Immensely talented from the beginning, Mike worked hard playing for youth groups in and around his hometown.   At the age of 15, he moved to Prince Albert Saskatchewan, Canada where he joined the Prince Albert Raiders. There he pursued his passion for hockey, honed his hockey skills and graduated from High School.   His dream became a reality when, upon graduating high school in 1988, Mike was selected by the Minnesota North Stars as their #1 pick in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft.  At the time, Mike was only the second American –born player to be chosen #1 (Brian Lawton being drafted in 1983).  Mike played with Minnesota for five years until the franchise transferred to Dallas just before the 1993-94 season.  The new Dallas Stars and their dynamic center begin a love affair with the city of Dallas, turning this traditional “football town” into a hockey hot bed in the middle of the great Southwest. 

Mike has experienced both team and individual success with the Dallas Stars.  In the 1999-2000 season, after only six years in Dallas, he led the Stars in their quest for the most coveted trophy in professional sports, the Stanley Cup.  They have made it to the play offs every year since 2002.  Because of his leadership both on and off the ice, in 2003 Mike was named Captain of the Dallas Stars, an honor that Brenden Morrow assumed in 2006. 

On March 17, 2007 in an away game versus the Nashville Predators, Modano scored his 502nd and 503rd career regular-season goals, thus passing Joe Mullen’s NHL record (502) for most goals scored by an American-born player.  In October 2007, Mike looks to tie and break the record for all-time leading point producer among U.S. born players, currently held by Phil Housley.  Along with the two prestigious NHL records, Mike holds all of the offensive Dallas Stars franchise records, including career points, career goals, career assists, career games played.  His play-off record is just as impressive, as he holds the records for most play-off points, play-off goals, play-off assists and most play-off games played.  Offensive fire-power combined with lightning-quick speed and full throttle skating style, make Mike a favorite with fans who selected him as a 7 time NHL All-Star.  While distinct and distinguished, Mike’s career is not over yet.  He plans on playing out his contract with the Dallas Stars and hopes to remain an integral part to the team and the sport when the time comes to throw in the competitive skates.

International competition has played a large role in Mike’s development as an aggressive hockey player.  In 1996, 2004 and 2005 Mike played with Team USA in international competition winning a gold medal in the inaugural World Cup game in 1996.  He was selected to play in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan as well as the 2002 games in Salt Lake City, Utah where he led the team to a silver medal victory.  His most recent appearance was in 2004 in Tornio, Italy where he served as the captain of the USA Hockey team.  As a way to recognize him for his commitment to his country and the sport, in 2002, Modano received the prestigious USA Hockey Bob Johnson Award which recognizes excellence in international ice hockey competition.  

When not on the ice, Mike is equally as passionate about his personal responsibilities to give back to the community.  He continues to make a positive impact on the community by working with his Foundation. The Mike Modano Foundation provides resources and education for at-risk, particularly abused, abandoned and neglected children in the Dallas area.  In 2002, Mike realized a dream when the Mike Modano Infant and Toddler Cottage, located on the campus of Jonathan’s Place, a safe haven for at-risk children, was opened.  He continues to provide funding and resources to organizations whose purpose is to offer education to children and families to assist in reversing the devastating effects of child abuse.   

Mike lives in Dallas with his wife, Willa Ford and their two golden retrievers, Scout and Bella.  

Career Highlights

#1 Draft Pick 1988 Holds record for career goals by a U.S.-born player Broke the Star’s franchise record for total career points (868) February 14, 2001 Recorded 1000th career point - November 15, 2002 Stanley Cup Champion 1999 3 Time Olympian 6 Time NHL All-Star NHL All-Star Team Captain - 2003 7 Career Hat Tricks Career-High 50 Goals -1993-94 Most Goals in a Game: 4 Feb. 16, 1996 vs. Edmonton Most Assists in a Game: 4  (3 times) Last on Feb. 10, 2002 @ Anaheim Most Points in a Game: 6 Feb. 1, 1995 vs. Anaheim Most PIM in a Game: 16 Feb. 10, 1996 vs. St. Louis Most Shots in a Game: 11 Oct. 7, 1995 @ Winnipeg Goal Scoring Streak: 6 Games (4 times) Last from Jan. 2-13, 2002 (9 goals) Assist Scoring Streak: 7 Games (2 times)Last from Dec. 7 - Dec. 21, 2005 (8 assists) Point Scoring Streak: 11 Games Feb. 23 - Mar. 15, 2000 Games Played Streak: 119 Games, Nov. 22, 1995 - Feb. 8, 1997 First NHL Game: Oct. 5, 1989 vs. New York Islanders First NHL Goal: Oct. 5, 1989 vs. New York Islanders First NHL Point Oct. 5, 1989 vs. New York Islanders

Alexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin was born September 17, 1985, He is a Russian professional hockey superstar for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). In January 2008, he signed a thirteen-year contract extension worth $124 million with the Capitals, the most valuable contract in NHL history. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.

He was the first overall selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, but due to the 2004-05 NHL lockout, he began play in the 2005-06 NHL season. During the 2007-08 season, he led the NHL with 65 goals and 112 points to capture the Rocket Richard and Art Ross Trophies. That season he also won the Lester B. Pearson Award as the top player voted by the NHLPA and the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s MVP.

The first signs of the Ovechkin’s future came when he was a child. At the age of two, in a Soviet toy store, Alexander grabbed a toy stick and helmet and refused to let go. His parents treasure the picture to this day. As a small child, whenever he saw a hockey game on TV, he “dropped all his toys” and ran to the TV. He “protested strongly” if his parents tried to change the channel. His parents say they knew he would be an athlete when Alexander chose to run up the steps to their apartment rather than take the elevator.

He began playing hockey at the age of 7. Soon after he began, however, he had to postpone his hockey career because his parents were unable to take him to the rink. But one of Ovechkin’s coaches saw Ovechkin’s talent and communicated to his parents that he should continue to play hockey. Ovechkin’s brother, Sergei, who later died in a car accident, saw that Alexander loved hockey and insisted that he be allowed to return.

In Russia, hockey teams build players in their systems from childhood. Ovechkin began playing in the Dynamo Moscow system. At 16, he made his debut for Dynamo Moscow in the Russian Superleague in the 2001-2002 season.

In the 2003-2004 season, he won the Superleague award for Best Left Wing and became the youngest Dynamo Moscow player to lead the team in scoring.

In 2004-2005, he missed nearly two months of play because of a shoulder injury sustained in the Gold Medal Game against Canada in the World Junior Championships.

Washington Capitals
Ovechkin was the first overall draft choice in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, going to the Washington Capitals. He had been projected as the first overall pick for nearly two years , and had earned comparison to Mario Lemieux. He was so highly regarded, the Florida Panthers attempted to draft him in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft in the 9th round, even though his birthday was two days after the cuttoff (September 15th, 1985). Rick Dudley, the general manager of the Panthers, claimed the pick was legitimate, saying that using leapyears Ovechkin was old enough.

Ovechkin was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for December 2005.

On January 13, 2006, in Anaheim, Ovechkin scored his first career hat trick against Jean-Sébastien Giguère of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to help Washington win the game.

On January 16, 2006, Alexander Ovechkin scored a goal that veteran hockey reporter Bill Clement called “one of the greatest goals of all time. Knocked down by Paul Mara, a defenseman for the Phoenix Coyotes, then sliding on his back and facing away from the net, Ovechkin was able to hook the puck with one hand on his stick and slide it into the net past goalie Brian Boucher for his second goal of the night.

On February 1, 2006, Ovechkin was named NHL Rookie of the Month for January 2006 as well as being named Offensive Player of the Month, becoming only the third player in NHL history to earn both honors in a single month.

Ovechkin led 2005-2006 NHL rookies in goals, points, power-play goals, and shots. He finished third overall in the NHL in scoring and tied for third in goals. His 425 shots led the league, set an NHL rookie record, and was the fourth-highest total in NHL history. Ovechkin’s point total was the second-best in Washington Capitals history and his goal total tied for third in franchise history. He was also named to the NHL First All-Star Team, the first rookie to receive the honor in 15 years. After the season ended, Ovechkin received the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s best rookie. EA Sports made him one of the cover athletes for NHL 07.

Following the 2006-2007 NHL season, Ovechkin was awarded the Kharlamov Trophy, which is named after Valery Kharlamov and presented by Sovetsky Sport. The Kharlamov Trophy honors the best Russian NHL player as voted by other Russian NHL players.

Ovechkin played alongside fellow young phenom Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2007 NHL All-Star Game, held on January 24, 2007, in Dallas, Texas. He scored his first All-Star game goal.

On December 29, 2007, Ovechkin notched his third hat trick against Ottawa Senators netminder, Martin Gerber. Ovechkin tallied 5 points that night: 4 goals and 1 assist to lead the Capitals to a 8-6 victory. On January 31, 2008, he had another 5-point performance (4 goals, 1 assist) in a 5-4 overtime victory against the Montreal Canadiens.

After much speculation, Ovechkin signed a 13-year contract extension worth $124 million with the Capitals on January 10, 2008. The contract, which averages $9.5 million per year, is the richest in NHL history. Working without an agent, Ovechkin negotiated with Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and general manager George McPhee.[5]

On March 3, 2008, Ovechkin notched his fourth hat trick, against the Boston Bruins. He scored his 50th, 51st, and 52nd goals of the season, the second time he has hit the 50-goal mark in three seasons with the Capitals.

On March 21, 2008, Ovechkin scored his 59th and 60th goals of the season against the Atlanta Thrashers. He was the first NHL player to score 60 goals in a season since 1996. He is the 19th player ever to reach the 60 goal plateau. On March 25, Ovechkin scored his 61st goal to hold the Washington Capital’s team record for regular season goals previously held by Dennis Maruk. He would break Luc Robitaille’s record for most goals by a left winger in one season on April 3, 2008, by scoring two goals, his 64th and 65th of the season.

Alex Ovechkin finished the 2007-08 NHL season as the leader in points (112) and goals (65), and was awarded both the Art Ross Trophy and the Rocket Richard Trophy.

In his first NHL playoff game, Ovechkin scored the game-winning goal with less than five minutes left.

The day after he received the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP, he was given the key to the city by Washington mayor Adrian M. Fenty for being the first Washington MVP winner in a major sport since Joe Theismann of the Washington Redskins in 1983.

On June 11, 2008, Ovechkin also launched his own line of designer Streetwear with CCM.
In late October of the 2008–09 NHL season Ovechkin returned home to Moscow to visit his ailing grandfather, missing only the second game of his entire career, and snapping a consecutive streak of 203 games.

At the age of 16, Ovechkin helped lead the Junior National Team to the Gold medal with two hat tricks, one against Switzerland and one against USA, and an assist.

At the age of 17, when he was selected by Russian coach Victor Tikhonov to play in the Ceska Pojistovna Cup Eurotour tournament, Alexander became the youngest skater ever to play for the Russian National Team in the history of Russian hockey. In that tournament he also became the youngest player ever to score for the National Team.

At the age of 18, Alexander Ovechkin was named Captain of the Junior Russian National Team. Russia finished 5th in the tournament.

At the age of 19, Ovechkin was named to the Russian National Team for the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. He was the youngest player in the tournament.

Also at the age of 19, Alexander Ovechkin was named Captain of the Junior National Team in the 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The tournament, lasting from December 25, 2004, to January 4, 2005, was Ovechkin’s third and last. At the end of the tournament he had collected 7 goals (tied for tournament lead). His team received the silver medal after losing the gold medal game to Canada on January 4, and Ovechkin was named the Best Forward of the tournament as well as selected to the tournament All-Star Team.

In 2005 Ovechkin played in his first IIHF men’s World Championships. He scored five goals and three assists, landing eighth in the top scorers list and sharing third place in goal scoring.

In 2006, Ovechkin played in his very first Winter Olympic Games. Although Russia came away from the games without a medal, Ovechkin scored 5 goals in the tournament, including the game-winner against Canada’s Martin Brodeur, eliminating Canada from the tournament. Ovechkin was the only player not on Sweden (Gold) or Finland (Silver) to be named to the all-tournament team.

At the 2006 IIHF World Championships, Ovechkin scored six goals and three assists (nine points) in seven games before losing 4-3 to the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals. For his efforts, Ovechkin was one of six players selected Media All-Star Team.

At the 2008 IIHF World Championships, Ovechkin helped led Russia to the gold medal by finishing with 12 points (six goals, six assists) in nine games. He was selected to the Media All-Star Team for the second time in five tournament appearances.

Career statistics
Regular Season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2001–02 Dynamo Moscow RSL 21 2 2 4 4 3 0 0 0 0
2002–03 Dynamo Moscow RSL 40 8 7 15 29 5 0 0 0 2
2003–04 Dynamo Moscow RSL 53 13 10 23 4 3 0 0 0 2
2004–05 Dynamo Moscow RSL 37 13 14 27 32 10 2 4 6 31
2005–06 Washington Capitals NHL 81 52 54 106 52 — — — — —
2006–07 Washington Capitals NHL 82 46 46 92 52 — — — — —
2007–08 Washington Capitals NHL 82 65 47 112 40 7 4 5 9 0
RSL Totals 151 36 33 69 106 18 2 4 6 35
NHL Totals 245 163 147 310 144 7 4 5 9 0

[edit] International statistics
Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
2002 Russia U18 8 14 4 18 0
2003 Russia WJC 6 6 1 7 4
2003 Russia U18 6 9 4 13 6
2004 Russia WJC 6 5 2 7 25
2004 Russia WC 6 1 1 2 0
2004 Russia WCH 2 1 0 1 0
2005 Russia WJC 6 7 4 11 4
2005 Russia WC 8 5 3 8 4
2006 Russia Oly 8 5 0 5 8
2006 Russia WC 7 6 3 9 6
2007 Russia WC 8 1 2 3 29
2008 Russia WC 9 6 6 12 8
Totals 71 60 24 84 86

[edit] All Star Games

Year Location G A P
2007 Dallas 1 0 1
2008 Atlanta 2 0 2
All-Star Totals 3 0 3

Awards

NHL
Calder Memorial Trophy - NHL Rookie of the Year: 2006
Kharlamov Trophy - Best NHL Russian player: 2006, 2007, 2008
NHL All-Rookie Team: 2006
NHL First All-Star Team: 2006, 2007, 2008
NHL No. 1 Star of the Month: January 2008, March 2008
NHL Offensive Player of the Month: January 2006
NHL Rookie of the Month: December 2005 and January 2006
NHL No. 1 Star of the Week: Weeks Ending December 30, 2007, and March 9 and March 23, 2008
NHL Offensive Player of the Week: Week Ending December 31, 2005 and Week Ending January 23, 2006
NHL Player of the Year - Sporting News: 2008
Lester B. Pearson Award (Most Outstanding Player): 2008
Hart Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player): 2008
Art Ross Trophy: 2008 (112 points)
Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy: 2008 (65 goals)

International play
2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships – Best Forward
2006 Winter Olympics – Ice Hockey All-Tournament Team
2006 IIHF World Championship – Media All-Star Team
2008 IIHF World Championship – Media All-Star Team

Team records
Most Goals in a season (2007-2008) - 65 goals
Most career penalty shots attempted - 4 shots (most recent on October 10, 2008)
Most Goals in a season by a Washington Capitals rookie (2005-2006) - 52 goals
Most Points in a season by a Washington Capitals rookie (2005-2006) - 106 points
Point streak by a Washington Capitals rookie - 11 games (17 points; 5 goals, 12 assists), March 18 - April 7, 2006
Point streak by a Washington Capitals rookie to start season - 8 games
Goal streak by a Washington Capitals rookie - 7 games, February 10 - March 8, 2006

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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

SIDNEY CROSBY

Sidney Crosby was born on August 7, 1987 in Halifax, Nova Scotia to Troy and Trina Crosby. He got a knack for hockey at a very early age, shooting pucks in the basement when he was just two years old and putting numerous dents in the family dryer. His father was a goalie, having played major junior hockey with the Verdun Juniors and was a 12th round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 1984. Though he never played professional hockey, he did put his son on the right path. A year later when Sidney Crosby was just over three, he had donned his first pair of skates and taken to the ice. It wasn’t long before he started playing organized hockey and was immediately recognized for the exceptional skill he exhibited playing the game.

Early Years
By age seven he was already known to the local sports press for his hockey prowess. In 1997 he scored 159 goals in 55 games playing hockey in “Atom” and finished the season in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia with a whopping 280 points. During the 2001 hockey season he played in both a Tier II junior league and AAA midget hockey in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Though Sidney was only fourteen years old, he excelled against players up to three years his senior. After scoring 193 points in 74 games, it was clear that he was unlikely to return to the Nova Scotia AAA league.

Sidney and his family wanted him to play major juinor hockey in his hometown of Halifax as an underage player, just as Jason Spezza had in Brampton. After he wasn’t allowed to play for the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), he chose to play hockey at a high school in the United States. As if on queue. Sidney Crosby put up very impressive numbers with Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Minnesota. He created a new scoring records by notching 72 goals and 110 assists for a total of 162 points in just 57 games. He also led his high school to the national title.

Junior Hockey Career
Sidney was drafted first overall in the midget draft by the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL. He was very impressive as a QMJHL rookie during the 2003-2004 season. Crosby played a total of 59 games, scoring 54 goals along with 84 assists for 135 points. He was also invitied to play for the Canadian Junior Hockey Team; the only player under eighteen to suit up for Canada in that tournament and he became the youngest player to ever score a goal in the World Junior Championships. By the time Sidney Crosby returned to Rimouski for the 2004-05 season, he was considered the best hockey prospect in the world and was sure to have a tough season, with the whole league gunning for him.

That was a challenge he certainly rose to, scoring 66 goals and 102 assists for 168 points in just 62 games during the 2004-05 regular season. He also returned for a second stint with the Canadian Junior Hockey team and won a gold medal in North Dakota. Back after his orld Juinors victory, Crosby and the Oceanic tore up with Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team had a sensational season and made it to the Memorial Cup tournament that was held in London, Ontario. Though the Oceanic lost to the London Knights in the Memorial Cup finals, Sidney Crosby scored 11 points that the 5 tournament games and solidifed his position as the best hockey prospect for the 2005 National Hockey League (NHL) amateur entry draft.

Crosby’s journey to the NHL
With the NHL and its players union pitted against each other in a nasty labour dispute, rumours about where Sidney would play began to surface soon after the Memorial Cup was over. He wasn’t returning to the QMJHL and the World Hockey Association (WHA) along with a European team were supposedly in the mix. But Sidney made it clear that his dream was to play in the National Hockey League. While the NHL was negotiating its collective bargaining agreement, Sidney signed on to become a spokesperson for Reebok’s line of hockey products.

The NHL and NHLPA agreed on a new CBA on July 13th, 2005 and a special lottery draft was held on July 22nd to figure out who would get the first overall pick in the entry draft. Quickly dubbed the “Sidney Crosby sweepstakes”, teams were assigned a weighted probability depending on their previous seasons’ records. The Pittsburgh Penguins won the lottery and drafted Sidney Crosby as their first overall pick on July 30th, 2005. Crosby entered the NHL as an eighteen year old and was put under the tutelage of the great Mario Lemieux. Even though Mario had to retire a few months into the season due to some health concerns, Crosby clearly took over the team as their best player on the ice. He finished his rookie season with 39 goals and 63 assits for 102 points and second in the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) voting to Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. With the arrival of Russian prospect Evgeni Malkin to Pittsburgh and the continuing development of goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, the Pens looked to have a strong team with a bright future. Sid continued to solidify his place in the NHL with a banner sophmore year, where his 120 points were plenty to land him the coveted Art Ross Trophy along with the Hart and Lester B. Pearson awards. The 2007-08 regular season saw Sidney Crosby miss 29 games due to injuries, but he came back strong in the playoffs to lead the Penguins to the Stanley Cup finals; where they lost to the Red Wings.