The Pittsburgh Penguins center, a native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, was voted No. 1 in a list of the province's top 15 athletes compiled by the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. Crosby received 35 of 36 first-place votes from a panel of athletes, coaches, media members and Nova Scotia sports experts, Hall of Fame chief executive officer Bruce Rainnie told The Canadian Press.
Crosby, who turns 31 on Aug. 7, told a crowd of more than 1,000 at the Halifax Convention Centre that he wants to appreciate his NHL career.
"I think I've understood over the years that you have a small window to do something you love, and for whatever reason, that was instilled pretty early," Crosby said, according to the CP. "I know that at one point it's going to stop, but I want to make sure that I enjoy every minute of it."
Crosby brought the Stanley Cup to Halifax after each of his three championships with the Penguins, in 2009, 2016 and 2017. The Penguins' attempt at a third straight title ended with a loss to the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Second Round. The Capitals went on to win the Stanley Cup.
Crosby was 19 years, nine months and 24 days old when he was named captain of the Penguins on May 31, 2007. In 2009, he became the youngest NHL captain to win the Stanley Cup in more than 100 years.
"I think leadership comes in a lot of different forms, a lot of different ways," Crosby said. "It takes, definitely, more than one guy. You need a group of leaders."
Hockey Hall of Famer Al MacInnis, a former NHL defenseman, also was in attendance. He was the No. 3 athlete, behind Crosby and curler Colleen Jones.
