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Crosby will become the 25th active NHL skater to play 1,000 games and the first player in Penguins history to do so.
Filed Under:Mike Sullivan, NHL, Penguins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Sports, Sidney Crosby, Sports

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Ahead of Sidney Crosby’s 1,000th career NHL game set to take place tonight at PPG Paints Arena, the Penguins captain did what he could to shut down trade rumors and speculation.

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Crosby will become the 25th active NHL skater to play 1,000 games and the first player in Penguins history to do so.

While reflecting on several different aspects of his career, Crosby said he still remembers how nervous he was before playing in his first game in 2005.

“Just anxious, excited, a lot of different emotions,” Crosby said. “I feel like just so much is unknown. The league, the team you’re playing against, everything. So I think I had a lot of different emotions, but obviously I was excited and proud that I was living out my dream of playing in the NHL. So that’s kind of the best way I could describe that.”

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Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan provided high praise for the Penguins captain, particularly regarding Crosby’s drive to be a winner.

 

“There’s a lot of guys that want to win, but there aren’t as many that want to do what it takes to win,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “There’s a lot of guys that want to be the best, but there aren’t as many that are willing to do what it takes to be the best. And I think Sid has both of those. Not only is he a winner and a champion, but he’s also willing to put the time in each and every day. You don’t just flip a switch and create the type of legacy that he’s created. It’s an impressive resume, and I don’t think he’s finished. I think he’s got a lot of hockey left to build on the impressive resume that he has.”

While speaking about his future with the Penguins and ongoing speculation about Crosby playing somewhere other than Pittsburgh, Crosby said “I love playing here, and this is where I’d love to play for the rest of my career.”

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Crosby will play in his 1,000th game tonight at PPG Paints Arena when the Penguins take on the New York Islanders.