The Pittsburgh Penguins have been blessed to have one of the greatest players and humans in Sidney Crosby.

PITTSBURGH – It’s pretty well known that Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will go down as one of the greatest hockey players ever. There is also no shortage of stories that tell just how special of a human Crosby is off the ice as well.

Former Penguins forward Brian Boyle now works as an analyst on NHL Network and has added his own story to an ever-growing list of Crosby stories.

Boyle tells the story of his first regular season game with the Penguins kicking off the 2021-22 season.

“It was not easy for me to go there,” Boyle said about signing in Pittsburgh. “I had a family; they stayed back home. We never did that. We always traveled together.”

Boyle joined the Penguins after sitting out the entire 2020-21 season. The Penguins took a chance on him with a one-year contract. Boyle says his family had traveled in for the home opener, which Crosby did not play in because he was still recovering from preseason wrist surgery.

Being sidelined didn't stop Crosby from creating an awesome memory for the Boyle family.

“My son was six at the time,” Boyle said. “I check my phone after the game… my wife is texting and calling saying ‘you have to get out here. Declan won’t let Sid leave.’”

Boyle’s son and Crosby played bubble hockey well after the Penguins defeated the Chicago Blackhawks on opening night. Boyle said he finished his entire post-game routine, and the two were still battling.

“I finished my workout, showered, and got out there like 45 minutes,” Boyle said. “I’m like ‘Declan we got to let him go now, say goodbye’ and he kept playing for 10 more minutes.”

Boyle said Crosby was also backing him off, saying the game wasn’t over yet. No matter the situation, Crosby has always found time for others.

The 2021-22 season ended up being Boyle’s last in the NHL. He played 66 games with the Penguins and scored 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 total points. Without his family in town, Boyle would often Facetime them, and Crosby would be right there to chat, too.

Boyle spoke highly of his former teammate and knows Crosby is far more than just a top-five player in hockey history.

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