One of the QMJHL's most famous graduates is getting a special honour.
The major-junior hockey league has named its rookie-of-the-year award the Sidney Crosby Trophy, the QMJHL announced Tuesday.
Crosby spent two seasons in the QMJHL with Rimouski after the Oceanic selected him first overall in the 2003 draft. He was rookie of the year and a two-time MVP of the QMJHL before being selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005.
Crosby led the Oceanic to the QMJHL title in 2005 before Rimouski lost to the London Knights in the Memorial Cup final.
“Some of my fondest memories of hockey come from my time in the QMJHL playing for the Oceanic. It is an absolute honour to have the league’s rookie-of-the-year trophy named after me”, said Crosby.
The trophy did not have a name before the decision to honour the three-time Stanley Cup winner and captain of Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
"When the trophy committee met, Sidney Crosby's name quickly became the unanimous choice," said QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini. "He has left such an important mark on the history of the Oceanic and the QMJHL, and you can see how proud he is of his time with us every time he talks about it. What's more, the timing is perfect with the presentation of the 2025 Memorial Cup in Rimouski.”
Crosby's junior success translated immediately to the NHL after he was selected first overall by the Penguins. He made his debut as an 18-year-old in 2005-06 and put up 102 points in 81 games.
The Penguins captain since 2007 has 609 goals and 1,045 assists in 1,327 career games.
— With files from the Canadian Press
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