Crosby sends funny, heartfelt tribute to Fleury for QMJHL Hall of Fame induction

Marc-Andre Fleury heard from a former QMJHL rival during his induction into the league's Hall of Fame: Sidney Crosby.

The longtime teammates who helped lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to three Stanley Cup titles were once adversaries, as Crosby pointed out in a congratulatory video to Fleury shared by the league on Thursday.

"Thinking back to those days it was awesome to play against you. I don't think I scored on you in the Q," Crosby said with a sly smile. "That changed when we got to the NHL. But you've had an incredible career. I'm really happy to see you get this achievement. I hope you enjoy the night with friends and family. Congratulations."

Crosby told a story about how he remembers his first game against Fleury in the QMJHL in Cape Brenton and how Fleury's bright yellow pads "flying everywhere" for the Eagles.

Crosby then told the big secret of Fleury's success - as a clearly emotional Fleury sat and watched the video - and his enduring popularity with teammates over his 21 NHL seasons.

"His attitude and mindset that he brought to the rink every day. He had a great attitude. I think no matter what was going on, whether we were winning or losing or things were going good or bad, he came with that same drive, that same energy, that enthusiasm, every single day," Crosby said. "That's contagious. That's fun to be around. You can see wherever he played that that's something that everyone who had the opportunity to play with him really appreciated."