Sidney Crosby praises Connor McDavid for bringing something new to Team Canada
Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
When an athlete of Sidney Crosby's caliber is praising your game, you know you're doing something right.
This was the case when Sid-the-Kid commented on Connor McDavid's leadership at the Olympics.
McDavid stakes claim in Milan
Rumour has it that McDavid flew out to Milano 4 days before the rest of Team Canada, so as to acclimatize his body to Italy, a strategy that seems to be working.
From his very first shift, McDavid has brought an element to his game rarely seen. We all know he skates like nobody's business, can dangle and score with the best - if not the best - in the NHL.
Now at the Olympics, he's dishing-out five-bell hits as just another way of saying, We won't be beat.
Then there's his production. Just two games into the tournament, McDavid has recorded six points, the first player ever to do so at an Olympics with NHL participants.
The Oilers' captain is gaining more and more respect from the NHL's elite, if that were even possible.
"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't cool," MacKinnon said of his Canada teammate. "I love the game. I'm inspired by Connor. I think he's the best & he pushes me to be even better ... To play on a line with him is a blessing."
Even his coach Jon Cooper can't help recognizing what Connor has done in the early stages thus far.
"He's come in here on a mission & you're watching it. These are the best players in the world & he's finding a way to rise above"
For McDavid, it's been a life-long dream and process. To be the best in the world, the goal is a mission from early adolescence, when you're mapping your future, imaging what it could be.
He shared some of that process in this excerpt from a Manifesto he wrote for Player’s Tribune.
I remember when things weren’t going our way, and I’d look around the room and think, Geez, we sucked tonight. Somebody has to step up and say something. And a room full of guys would turn their heads, and it would kind of hit me….Oh, they’re looking at me.
Representing Canada means everything to me. With not being able to play at the Olympics until this season, it’s been this part of me that’s been missing. Some of my favorite hockey memories ever are with a Canada jersey on. Or even just watching as a fan."
Representing Canada means everything to me. With not being able to play at the Olympics until this season, it’s been this part of me that’s been missing. Some of my favorite hockey memories ever are with a Canada jersey on. Or even just watching as a fan."
Well, it shows Connor.
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