Sidney Crosby Biography Continued …

Then, on November 22, Crosby took part in the first of what is sure to be many head-to-head duels between himself and Washington Capitals rookie phenomena, Alexander Ovechkin. Sidney scored a first period goal in which he split two Capital defensemen, and then closed in on goaltender Olaf Kolzig, beating the Washington puck stopper with a backhand move very similar to the one which beat Montreal’s Theodore just days prior. Once again, the goaltender’s water bottle was sent skyward.

On April 13, 2006, Crosby broke Mario Lemieux’s rookie assist record, during a win over the New York Rangers. Lemieux recorded 57 assists in his rookie year and Crosby went on to tally 63 assists by the end of his first season, making it a new Pittsburgh Penguins club rookie record. six days later after breaking Lemieux’s rookie assist record he scored his 102th point, 2 ahead of Lemieux’s 1984-85 rookie record. He finished the season sixth over all in the league scoring race and seventh in the NHL in assists. His stellar rookie performance earned him a nomination for the Calder trophy, awarded to the leagues best rookie. However he finished second in Calder Memorial Trophy voting behind Alexander Ovechkin whom scored 50 goals.

Because the Pittsburgh Penguins failed to make the playoffs during the 2006 season Crosby was able to represent Team Canada once again on the international scene. From May 5 to May 21, 2006, he participated World Championships, where he became the youngest player ever to win a World Championship scoring title. He tallied a tournament-best eight goals and eight assists in nine games. Also, Crosby was named the tournament’s top forward and to the competition’s all-star team.

Category: Crosby Biography