PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby waits for a face off against the Florida Panthers during third period NHL ice hockey action in Sunrise, Florida January 8, 2008.
REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES)
SUNRISE, Fla. - Penguins center Sidney Crosby has quickly become the face of the National Hockey League.
It would also appear that he has remained its most popular player.
For the second consecutive year, Crosby has been voted to start at center for the Eastern Conference in the NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta on Jan. 27. He is the first Penguins player voted to the starting lineup in back-to-back seasons since Jaromir Jagr was on the ice for the opening faceoff three consecutive years (1998-99 to 2000-01).
"What a surprise! I'm shocked," Penguins coach Michel Therrien said. "He certainly deserves it, he's a true leader and, at his age he's among the best players in the NHL -- if not the best -- and we're glad for him."
Crosby, who recently topped the list of the 100 people of power and influence in hockey by The Hockey News and will grace the cover of February's editions of Men's Fitness and Sports Illustrated for Kids, led all vote-getters for the second consecutive year with 507,274.
"It's a huge compliment and a huge honor, and I'm just glad that I have that opportunity," Crosby said. "That's all stuff away from hockey, which is good. It's not like we're going to Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver this week."
His last trip to Western Canada was also his first as a professional, which started a frenzy among both media and fans getting their first look at the 20-year-old Penguins captain. The reigning scoring champion and Most Valuable Player went into Tuesday night's game against the Florida Panthers leading the league with 40 assists and fourth in overall scoring with 57 points, five behind Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Digital-only voting began on Nov. 13, and Crosby has led by a wide margin since the results were first announced on Nov. 20.
He will be joined in the starting lineup by forwards Lecavalier and Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson, defensemen Andrei Markov of Montreal and Zdeno Chara of Boston, and New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur.
Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom led all Western Conference players with 477,787 votes and will be paired on the starting blueline with Calgary's Dion Phaneuf. The Flames also had forward Jarome Iginla selected, while the Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk will occupy the other two forward slots.
Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo, who was a finalist for the Hart Trophy last season before Crosby won it, will be the Western Conference starter.
Keith Barnes can be reached at kbarnes@tribweb.com or 724-853-2109.
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