Crosby pushing work ethic at annual hockey school

COLE HARBOUR, Nova Scotia - Pens captain Sidney Crosby and his hometown of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia are hosting the third annual Sidney Crosby Hockey School this week. Even though this is the third installment of the program, which launched in 2015, Crosby still enjoys it as much as the first time around.

"It's a lot of fun," he said with a huge grin. "Every year to see where the kids come from, hear their story and how they got here, that never gets old."
Where they come from is everywhere.
This year the school has 160 youths participating from all 10 Canadian provinces, 30 U.S. states and seven total countries stretching as far as Hong Kong.
And all of those kids will get a taste of Crosby's hometown and his youth rink -Cole Harbour Place, which hosts the event.
"They're from all over. That's the cool part," Crosby said. "They get to come to Cole Harbour and see Halifax. It's the camp, but also the whole experience itself."
While growing up in Cole Harbour, Crosby idolized the players that came from the same region, such as Al MacInnis, Glen Murray and Cam Russell.
There is a generation of players that idolize Crosby in much the same way and he hopes that the kids can learn from his and the other camp volunteers' example.
"You need to have role models. You need to have people you can look up to, whether it's an NHL player or a teacher," Crosby said. "There are instructors and volunteers here that will hopefully have an impact on some of these kids."
There is one takeaway above all that Crosby hopes to instill in the youngsters.
"Work ethic is the foundation of everything," Crosby said. "Talent can only get you so far. Hard work is the foundation for anyone. That's what we try to teach here. Not everyone here is going to go to the NHL, but hopefully they can take some things out of it. Whether it's any other sport or life in general, work ethic goes a long way. That's really what I look at."
Though some athletes simply lend their name to clinics, camps and initiatives, Crosby is very hands-on. He takes part in on-ice sessions with the kids, signs autographs and tries to make sure he gives each kid some special quality time.
But even Crosby admits that the real heroes of the weekend are the numerous volunteers that take time out of their lives to help either as instructors, security, organizing, planning or logistics.
"We don't have this if it weren't for the amount of volunteers that are here," Crosby said. "It means a lot to be able to run the camp. It also means a lot to know that there are so many people that want to help and give back themselves. They're really what makes the camp. That's a big part of it and a fun part of it too.
"There are a lot of volunteers that are here everyday chasing kids around. They could be doing other things with their summer."
Many of those volunteers are close family, friends and former coaches of Crosby. His parents, Troy and Trina, and younger sister, Taylor, are heavily involved. As is Paul Mason, his former coach. Many of Crosby's friends from his childhood have also chipped in, as well as local star Nate MacKinnon.
In many ways, his annual hockey school serves as a reunion with the closest people in Crosby's life, as well as 160 new friends. Crosby is simply the glue that binds everyone together.
"I like being here. I like being around the kids," he said. "A lot of these volunteers are family, friends or former coaches. It's actually a great way for everyone to see each other too. It's nice the way it worked out that way. I think it's important. These volunteers take the time. These kids are here to have a great experience. That's hopefully what I can do."