What they didn't know is several of the Penguins, including Sidney Crosby, were heading back out to join them for a private session.
"You remember being that age," Crosby said. "You get out there on the ice, and how fun it is. Especially being on the ice with NHL players, I didn't have that opportunity when I was young. Obviously, having the team here, the kids being local, I think it's fun for them and fun for us to be with them."
The participants were part of Crosby's "Little Penguins Learn to Play Hockey" program, now in its 11th season, which provides free head-to-toe equipment to 2,000 local children aged 4-9 each year. The 100 kids on the ice Wednesday won the chance to skate with the Penguins by receiving "Golden Tickets" when they picked up their equipment this year from DICK's Sporting Goods.
The program, developed jointly by the NHL and NHL Players' Association, offers weekly sessions led by NHL alumni, including former Toronto Maple Leafs and Penguins forward Rocky Saganiuk.
"It's great to see that it's caught on," Crosby said. "It seems to be getting more popular. It tells you that hockey is growing, and that the kids are enjoying it. Hopefully they're telling their friends. Them, themselves, have picked it up now after going through it. It's just all about getting the opportunity."
Penguins forwards Jared McCann, Dominik Simon and Garrett Wilson, defenseman Juuso Riikola and goalie Casey DeSmith joined Crosby and 50 kids on one rink at the complex for about an hour after practice. The 50 remaining kids skated with several other Penguins on the facility's second rink before joining Crosby's group for a group huddle and photo to end the session.
The rinks were separated into six different zones with each focusing on a specific drill. The corners were used mostly for stickhandling and skating; The middle two zones each had a goal with DeSmith defending one and a dummy guarding the other.
Crosby took turns going to different groups, bending down to teach the kids a quick skill. But his interactions weren't limited to the post-practice skate.
During Pittsburgh's noon ET practice, Crosby skated to the boards several times to greet a kid banging on the glass. The young fan would tap it and wave as Crosby approached before Crosby smiled and gave the glass a tap back.
"I think you remember being a kid," Crosby said. "Looking for a high-five or getting a puck or a stick. You realize and remember how much that meant to you. So, I think we've all had role models and followed players in sports. ... Hopefully that's something we can provide for them with those little things."
