It’s been 20 years since Pittsburgh Penguin captain Sidney Crosby attended his first NHL training camp. Since then, Sid the Kid has climbed to 10th place on the league’s all-time scoring list while bringing the Stanley back to the Steel City on three occasions.
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Earlier this week, Crosby signed a two-year extension that runs out in 2027, just months before his 40th birthday. In the meantime, hockey fans get to watch a generational talent try to win one more championship and climb as high as he can on the scoring charts.
Related: Contract Extension Would Allow Crosby to Chase Rarely Discussed NHL Record
After 1,272 games and 1,596 points, it’s fascinating to see the changes in the league since Crosby debuted in September 2005. Here are 10 interesting NHL statistics from two decades ago.
1,701: Mario Lemieux, who would become Crosby’s boss, linemate, and roommate, had 1,701 points before the rookie’s first training camp. Unfortunately, he was forced into retirement 26 games into the 2005-06 campaign, collecting only 22 more points.
403: Martin Brodeur, the NHL’s all-time winningest goalie with 691 victories, only reached 403 wins after the 2003-04 season. He would tack on another 288 after the lockout and his retirement in 2015.
52: Before Crosby’s rookie season, defenseman Dick Tärnström led the Penguins in scoring in 2003-04 with 52 points in 80 games. A year later, Crosby would have nearly doubled that total, with 102 points, as an 18-year-old.
44: The Mellon Arena, formerly the Civic Arena, was 44 years old when Crosby attended his first training camp. Eventually, the team procured the funds to build PPG Paints Arena (formerly Consol Energy Center), which opened in 2010.
Related: 7 Fascinating Statistics About Sidney Crosby’s Career
40: Future Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek, who defeated Crosby and the Penguins during his first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2008, was 40 at the start of the 2005-06 season.
30: When Crosby made his debut, there were only 30 teams in the NHL, with the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets considered the newest expansion teams. Only 12 years into his career would the Vegas Golden Knights join the league in 2017, followed by the Seattle Kraken in 2021.
21: Marc-Andre Fleury made his NHL debut during the 2003-04 season and got to play in 21 games. Fast forward two decades later, and he’s one of four goalies to skate in 1,000 games.
10. After the 2003-04 season, only 10 players scored 1,500 points in league history: Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Gordie Howe, Ron Francis, Marcel Dionne, Steve Yzerman, Lemieux, Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, and Paul Coffey. In 2024, that list now includes 16 names.
5: The Detroit Red Wings had one of the league’s most threatening lineups, featuring five future Hall of Famers, including Pavel Datsyuk, Brendan Shanahan, Nicklas Lidström, Chris Chelios, and Yzerman.
3: Jaromir Jagr was a member of the New York Rangers in 2005, just his third NHL team besides the Penguins and Washington Capitals. After leaving for the KHL from 2008 to 2011, he returned to play with Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, New Jersey, Florida, and Calgary.
Related: Say It Ain’t So! Former Penguins Legend Jaromir Jagr Set to Retire in 2025
(Bonus) 1: Before 2005, the NHL had played only one regular-season outdoor game (2003) before it became a yearly event, starting with the Winter Classic in 2008. Crosby scored one of his most memorable goals, winning the game in a shootout. Heading into the 2024-25 season, the NHL has hosted 41 outdoor games.
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