The way Troy Crosby sees it, there is no better role model for his son than Mario Lemieux.
"He has been around and he has a lot to offer a young player, especially Sidney," Crosby said. "Sidney already has spoken to Mario and he is looking forward to learning from someone like him. It's a perfect situation and I think it's going to be really good for Sidney to have someone like that."
Though it was one of the biggest days of his life, Sidney Crosby was able to follow a somewhat regular routine yesterday. He rolled out of bed around 6:30 a.m. and spent much of the morning training. He had lunch at home during the noonhour and the fun began in the afternoon.
CAMPED OUT
Media were camped out in the neighbourhood and there was a roadblock on the street. There were live interviews with TSN and Crosby was left to watch with his family when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman began revealing the draft order.
"It was nerve-wracking but it was fun," Crosby said. "There was a lot of excitement."
Troy Crosby denied whispers that the family -- he and his wife Trina also have a daughter, Taylor -- would pack up and move to the city where Sidney would embark on his NHL career. And with Sidney playing as much as he will in the East, the Crosbys will have plenty of chances to see their son play.
Crosby has big-dollar endorsements with Reebok and Gatorade and will make $850,000 US a year plus bonuses with the Penguins, but the lure of money never has dominated the teen's thoughts. He is known not only as a supremely talented hockey player but also as a teen who is mature and well-grounded. Often, Crosby has lauded his parents for a solid upbringing.
So while it's clear to everyone including the Crosbys the Penguins will announce Sidney's name with the first pick next Saturday at the entry draft in Ottawa, Troy Crosby was not yet ready to close this chapter in his son's life.
"I didn't think it would be this exciting," Crosby said of the events yesterday. "But I don't think this will hit us until next Saturday when he puts a jersey on."
