There are only a handful of sports figures per generation which can literally change the game they play. Few players have the complete package of super star skills and marketability needed to catch the attention of sports fans around the world. These players sell the game they play. The hype of the potential they bring to the game excites everyone around. Michael Jordan did this for Basketball. Tiger Woods turned a nation onto golf. Brett Favre astounds a nation year after year filling stadiums with eager football fans. Wayne Gretzky was so dominate that the NHL had to change rules in order to try to contain the scoring of the powerful Oilers of the 1980’s. Mario Lemieux had hockey nation on their knees with his combination of skill and size. Today, we see many young superstars bringing new excitement, but none have captured a nation quite like Sidney Crosby.

Canadians have been waiting patiently for the next great superstar to arrive at the NHL. With the lockout of 2004/05, hockey was down and out. Disappointed NHL fans were bitter and cynical of the league. The promise of a new young gun arriving in the NHL was just what it needed to emerge from the lockout as a new league. Ever since Sidney Crosby arrived, he has not disappointed.

Crosby was a young standout rookie in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey league playing for the Rimouski Oceanic. In his first game in the QMJHL, he scored one goal and added two assists. He was named Player of the Week for two consecutive weeks at the start of the season, and won the honor four more times as the season progressed. Crosby was Player of the Month three times. By the end of the season, he had been named Player of the Year, Top Rookie, and Top Scorer—the first QMJHL player to earn all three honors at once. He led the QMJHL with 54 goals and 81 assists in 59 regular season games. He was so dominate that the next player closest to him in scoring, which was his line mate, was 52 points behind him. Sidney Crosby mania was born. Crosby caught the attention of several journalists and other players, including Wayne Gretzky. When Gretzky was asked if he thought anyone could break his records, he answered that Crosby could, and added that Crosby was the best player he had seen since Mario Lemieux.

Crosby continued his torrent scoring pace during his next year in junior winning all major awards again including the scoring title. A star was born and he was ready for the NHL entry draft. The post lockout entry draft order was decided by a lottery in which every team had a shot at the #1 draft pick. The lottery was dubbed the Sidney Crosby sweepstakes. Pittsburgh eventually won and drafted the young superstar first overall.

Crosby has inspired a nation and hockey fans all around the world tune in to watch his unique combination of skill and grace. His NHL career has been star studded so far and he has won the Hart trophy, Art Ross trophy and Stanley Cup all within 4 years of his first step on the ice as an NHL rookie. Sidney is clearly the most marketable player in the NHL and has caused industries such as the hockey memorabilia market to explode. You can look no further than the hockey card market to see this. Ever since he’s entered the league the passion for his rookie cards, jersey cards and autographs have been extraordinary. Everyone wants a piece of the kid and passion in hockey cards has returned. Many Upper Deck and In the Game products since his rookie year have features his likeness in card form. The collecting passion has been reignited.

Sidney Crosby shows us all what a generational player can be. He continues to perform at the highest level with many productive years ahead of him in the NHL. It is very safe to say that as long as the NHL has Sidney Crosby, the fans will pack the stands. He brings out the passion of a nation.