Crosby Continues New Tradition During NHL Player Media Tour

Before the 2023-24 season began, the NHL gathered some of the league’s top players in Las Vegas for the NHL Player Media Tour. Longtime captain Sidney Crosby represented the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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Considering this was a first-time event for the league, it gave superstars a chance to mingle and renew old friendships. Additionally, it gave Crosby a chance to meet first-overall pick Connor Bedard just weeks before their clash would kick off the new NHL season.

In addition to all their media responsibilities, this time together allowed each former top favorite to connect with each other and share their love for the sport.

Following the success of last year’s event, the competition returned to the Strip, where Crosby faced off against recent San Jose Sharks first-round pick Macklin Celebrini.

For comparison, Bedard was 80 days old (July 17, 2005) when Crosby played his first regular season hockey game on October 5, 2005. Celebrini was not even born yet (June 13, 2006) when Crosby completed his first season or recorded his 100th point.

Related: 7 Fascinating Statistics About Sidney Crosby’s Career

Sometime in 2024-25, Sid the Kid, entering his 20th season in the league, will face both former first-overall picks. If Celebrini makes the Sharks’ lineup after training camp, he’ll become the league’s 21st active first-overall pick, joining:

Next summer, when Crosby comes to Vegas for the next NHL Player Media Tour event and has his photo taken with the top pick of the 2025 Draft, that player will become the 20th first overall pick since his selection in 2005.

But which of these players will still be playing in 12 months, and who might already have retired?

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