Sidney Crosby

Crosby was selected first overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 30, 2005, after the Penguins won a unique weighted draft lottery (based on playoff appearances and draft lottery victories in the previous 3-4 years) which gave each of the NHL's 30 teams a chance to win the #1 overall pick, and was used because the 2004-05 NHL season was cancelled due to a labor dispute.

Crosby got the opportunity to play at the beginning of his career alongside hockey great Mario Lemieux, who retired midway through an injury-plagued season.

Crosby played his first professional NHL game on October 5, 2005, against the New Jersey Devils, and registered an assist on the team's first goal of the season, scored by Mark Recchi. Crosby's first NHL goal came on October 8, 2005, against goaltender Hannu Toivonen of the Boston Bruins and was assisted by linemates Mark Recchi and Zigmund Palffy. On December 16, 2005, just two months into his rookie season, Crosby was named an Alternate Captain for the Penguins by new coach Michel Therrien.

On April 13, 2006, Crosby broke Mario Lemieux's Penguins rookie assist record, with one goal and three assists in a 5-3 win over the New York Rangers. Lemieux recorded 57 assists in his rookie year. Crosby finished with 63 assists in his first season, a new Penguins rookie record.

On April 17, 2006, Crosby scored his 100th point at the last home game of the season against the New York Islanders. He finished with 102, 2 ahead of Lemieux's 1984-85 rookie team record. Crosby is the youngest player in the history of the NHL to score 100 points in a single season, and only the 7th rookie. Crosby also is the first NHL rookie to record 100 points and 100 penalty minutes in a season. Dale Hawerchuk, who entered the league at age 18 for Winnipeg in 1981-82, is the only player to have had more points (103) before turning 19 or in the year they