When the Pittsburgh Penguins took Sidney Crosby first overall in 2005, they got one of the best prospects in NHL history.

Vol. 58, Issue 30

Lockout fatigue was at its peak – three months after the NHL cancelled the 2004-05 season – but that didn’t stop the hockey world from turning. In fact, the spotlight on Sidney Crosby only grew bigger and brighter. Crosby posted an outrageous 66 goals and 168 points with QMJHL Rimouski and starred on Canada’s dominant WJC team, cementing his status as the next great NHL sensation.

Senior writer Mike Brophy’s cover story peeled back the curtain on the Nova Scotian wunderkind, and it included an oddly prescient tale about a young Crosby chatting Mario Lemieux’s ear off. “He impressed Mario with how intelligent and engaging he is,” said Pat Brisson, Crosby’s agent. “In fact, Mario invited Sidney to dinner that night, and I think the two of them have got together six or seven times since.” They no doubt shared many more meals; Lemieux housed Crosby when ‘Sid the Kid’ was a rookie.

Crosby led the ranking of the top 50 draft prospects. Benoit Pouliot and Jack Johnson rounded out the top three.

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