Crosby On Ice As Pens Open Training Camp
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - It's the day nearly all Pittsburgh Penguins fans have been waiting for.
Pens training camp opened on Saturday and Sidney Crosby was back on the ice.
Crosby has been sidelined after punishing hits in consecutive games in early January left him with a concussion.
He has been dealing with symptoms for months and had not spent much time on the ice until recently.
Crosby's return was greeted by fans, who could not wait to catch a glimpse of the star back in action.
Penguins fans had been waiting for eight months for Crosby to return to the ice. They came to training camp hoping it would happen today.
"It would be great to see him back on the ice. Last season really hurt us without him being out there," Tony Lucketti said.
Crosby's long-awaited reunion with fans was met with a loud standing ovation .
Crosby didn't participate in the team's scrimmages, but as he went through the drills, fans said he looked like the Crosby they know and love.
"He looks like he's ready. I mean, he says he's doing 90 percent, but he looks like he's 100 percent," Mark Naas said.
"I was really happy to be back out there and obviously it was fun to go out there and work hard," Crosby said.
Penguins broadcaster Paul Steigerwald understands why fans are so anxious about Crosby's return.
"They just want to see him in person and see that he's still Sidney Crosby and get excited again for the prospect of him returning to the lineup. It makes all the sense in the world. He is the best player in the world," Steigerwald said.
Today was a major step forward for the Pens' captain, but he had this message for fans.
"I'm as eager as hopefully they are to see me out there. I want to get back and will do everything in my power to make that happen as soon as possible," Crosby said.
Penguins officials are encouraged by Crosby's participation in his first NHL practice in months.
However, he still has one major hurdle to clear - getting cleared by doctors for contact on the ice.
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