QMJHL honours Sidney Crosby with league-wide retirement of #87
One of hockey’s all-time greats was recognized Friday night in Rimouski and received one of the most prestigious honours in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League history.
Sidney Crosby, who played a star studded two seasons with the Océanic from 2003-05, had his iconic number 87 raised to the rafters. And beginning in 2020-21, the league announced the number will be retired across the entire QMJHL to honour his contributions to the league and to the hockey world.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 15 years,” Crosby told reporters pre-game. “A lot of memories and a lot of stories. Just leading up to it I think you start to reflect a little bit and it was obviously a great time in my life and it’s great to see so many familiar faces here tonight.”
The QMJHL will retire Sidney Crosby’s No. 87 across the league.https://t.co/aNy3WanE7a
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 28, 2019
A native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Crosby was the first overall selection in the 2003 QMJHL Entry Draft. Over 121 regular season games he scored an astounding 303 points including 120 goals with 183 assists. He was named Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year a record two straight times and helped the Océanic capture the 2005 President’s Cup.
“Just how much I loved it here,” Crosby answered when asked what first comes to mind upon his return. “Whether it was my teammates or other people within the organization, the city itself, right from the start it was somewhere I loved to be and I was so happy to be here for two years.”
Since being selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2005 NHL Draft, the 32-year-old has won three Stanley Cup titles, earned two Conn Smythe Trophies, and has had two Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy seasons among his many accolades.
Congratulations to our captain on his QMJHL jersey retirement. Very well deserved. pic.twitter.com/nHA7mY0cor
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 28, 2019
His legacy also includes success on the international stage representing Canada with silver and gold in the 2004 and 2005 World Junior Championships, and of course the celebrated golden goal he scored in the championship final of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Crosby is one of only ten Canadians to have won the “Triple Crown”: Olympic gold, World Championship gold and the Stanley Cup.
Surrounded by family, friends, former teammates, members of the organization, and fans, Crosby received a lengthy standing ovation when he first walked out at ice level.
Following the ceremony, the Oceanic won the first home game of their 25th season in dramatic fashion with top 2020 NHL Draft prospect and reigning CHL Player of the Year Alexis Lafreniere scoring in overtime to defeat the Sherbrooke Phoenix 4-3.
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