The Crosby Show: QMJHL & IIHF Success

He’s a face that many – even non-hockey fans – can recognize. Deemed “The Next One,” given an Order of Nova Scotia, and the winner of many hockey awards at various levels, Sidney Crosby is arguably the face of the NHL – and his successes in the minor leagues led the way.

On this his 25th birthday, let’s take a look at the past and see how he got to this point, and how Crosby’s minor league achievements provided a pathway to his future.

His first taste of pro hockey came in 2003, when Crosby was drafted by the QMJHL’s Rimouski Oceanic, but his history with the sport is a storied one.

Let’s just give this as an example of his success in Midget AAA: in one season with Shattuck St. Mary’s, his first experience outside of Canada, Crosby scored 72 goals and 90 assists for 162 points in just 57 games.

Regardless; from the moment he stepped foot onto the ice as a QMJHL player, Crosby caught everyone’s eye – he scored eight points in his first exhibition game with Rimouski, and had three points (1-2) in his regular season debut with the team.

In 59 games that season with the Oceanic, he’d score 54 goals and 81 assists and have a plus-49. He also added 16 points in nine playoff games and received numerous awards after his first QMJHL season.

Among these awards: Rookie of the Year, Michel Briere Memorial Trophy, Jean Beliveau Trophy, personality of the year, offensive player and offensive rookie of the year. He was also named to both the all-rookie and first all-star teams.

Not bad for a kid who hadn’t even struck his 17th birthday yet.

His QMJHL career, however, nearly came to an end, as the WHA’s Toronto team selected Crosby in that year’s draft. After a bit of a mess, Hamilton attempted to sign him, only to be rejected, and the league would fold shortly after, never really getting started to begin with.

Returning to the Oceanic for his second QMJHL season would prove equally successful as his first year there. In 62 games, Crosby scored 66 goals and 102 assists in 62 games. Along with his plus-84 rating, these statistics were quite impressive – and led to his being drafted by the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins first overall that June.

Before joining the NHL, however, Crosby had some more junior awards to win. For his second season with Rimouski, he would once again win the Michel Briere Memorial Trophy for MVP and the Jean Beliveau trophy for league-leading scorer, as well as his second Paul Dumont Trophy for personality of the year. Offensive player of the year, as well as being named to the first all-star team and adding best professional prospect and playoff MVP didn’t hurt either.

In addition to his QMJHL awards, Crosby was also recognized by the Canadian Hockey League for several achievements. In 2004, he won CHL Rookie of the Year. He’d win player of the year, leading scorer, and be one of the three stars for the Canada Post Cup both years he was in the league.

Finally, in 2005, after his final season, he was named top pro prospect by the CHL, named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team, and was the leader scorer of the Memorial Cup, earning the Ed Chynoweth Trophy.

On the IIHF junior stage, Crosby won a silver medal with Team Canada in 2004 in Helsinki prior to his NHL draft; he also competed in the 2005 tournament, winning gold in the middle of his rookie season with Pittsburgh.

Since joining the NHL, he’s added a number of achievements to his “wall of fame,” and it will only continue in the future – after all, he’s only 25.