When Sidney Crosby came to the NHL, he talked about a player.
And it is the ultimate tribute to a true Swedish icon.
– I can only dream of being as good as him, Crosby said.
When legends like Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier are asked who they would have liked to have played with by active NHL players, the answer is almost always the same: Sidney Crosby. After almost 20 years in the league, Crosby is still one of the world’s best players.
Incredible career
Crosby has what it takes to excel in the world’s best hockey league. He has been the team captain and the face of the Pittsburgh Penguins throughout the years, he has won several Stanley Cups and has completely poured in points season after season. Crosby will go down in history as one of the best ever, and maybe a Swede is to thank for that.
Crosby is not entirely different from the Swedish icon Peter Forsberg, in terms of playing. Both have had physics as their main attribute, and both have been completely impossible to take the puck away from. And the fact is that Crosby looked up to Forsberg from an early age.
READ MORE: When Peter Forsberg reunited with Börje after 18 years – and the judge shocked Foppa with an unexpected gift
The senseless tribute
When Sidney Crosby entered the NHL, the hype surrounding him was enormous. Even before his first NHL game, he was one of the most noticed players ever – that’s how talented he was – and when asked a question about Foppa, he snapped.
– If I become as good as Peter Forsberg one day, then I have really succeeded, Crosby said.
Sidney Crosby was asked if Forsberg had even been an idol for him, and then he did not hold back in the tribute.
– Of course he is a role model. He is complete as a hockey player. One of the absolute best in the world. Of course I watch him when I get the chance. He has a lot to teach.
READ MORE: When Sven Tumba met Peter Forsberg for the first time – and shocked the star with the cheeky question