Sidney Crosby is having a terrific 21st NHL season as he returned to the ice against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday, scoring 1 goal and 1 assist. Despite his veteran status, Crosby’s age-defying performances have made even the thought of his retirement extremely dreadful. However, an insider believes Hockey Canada could still find some use for Crosby’s exceptional leadership skills after he hangs up his skates.
How Sidney Crosby Could Lead Team Canada at the Olympics After Retirement
Leadership and guidance come naturally to Crosby. The Nova Scotia native has developed into a franchise icon not just because of his terrific hockey skills and IQ, but also because of his ability to lead. In a contribution to The Athletic, Pens insider Josh Yohe tackles the elusive question of what makes Crosby such a spectacular leader.
Crosby motivates and lifts his teammates like no other. The soft-spoken Pens captain’s locker room pep talks have fueled the team to go out there and salvage games that had, on many occasions, crossed the point of no return. Yohe believes that his consistency, work ethic, humility, and competitiveness give Crosby an edge over other leaders.
It is barely acceptable that Crosby unobtrusively retires one day and never looks back at hockey again. Consequently, Elliotte Friedman believes that it is not entirely out of place for Hockey Canada to approach Crosby to take on a leadership role comparable to Gretzky’s in the Olympics.
“You have to think that, after he retires, Hockey Canada is going to ask Sidney Crosby if he wants to follow Wayne Gretzky’s footsteps and run the Olympic team,” Friedman wrote in the latest edition of “32 Thoughts.”
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It only makes sense for the Next One to follow the footsteps of the Great One. Gretzky was the executive director of the Canadian men’s hockey team for the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Gretzky assembled a roster that won its first gold medal since 1952. Gretzky retained his role in the 2006 Turin Olympics.
Crosby has now participated in three Olympic Games, winning 2 gold and 1 silver medal. Crosby’s captaincy is unanimously accepted, and his guidance will be welcomed in Canada’s future Olympic pursuits. In line with Friedman, Chris Johnston also believes that Hockey Canada will appreciate the Penguins captain’s involvement in whatever capacity after his retirement.
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Johnston pointed out in a recent appearance on “First Up” that when Crosby retires, Hockey Canada would likely approach him to see if he would want to pick an Olympic team down the road the way Gretzky did.
However, for now, Crosby is focused on leading the Penguins to a deep playoff run for the first time in years. Despite Pittsburgh’s loss, the captain scored 2 points, making a bold statement against the Hurricanes.
