"He reminded me of myself": When Sidney Crosby compared himself to 15-year-old Connor McDavid

Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid are two of the best players in National Hockey League history, and both will be eventually in the Hall of Fame when their respective playing careers come to an end.

While the career of Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is beginning to wind down, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid remains in his prime and as dangerous as ever.

As a youngster with the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters, McDavid drew massive attention to himself with his on-ice skills, which made him the consensus first overall pick for the 2015 NHL Draft. Crosby took notice at the time, saying that the young McDavid reminded him of himself years earlier.

"He looks like he’s got it all," Crosby said. "When I watched him play, he reminded me of myself."

Naturally, the news reached McDavid, who couldn't believe what his childhood hero said about him.

"I can't believe Sidney Crosby said that about me," McDavid told the Tribune-Review. "I mean, that's my childhood hero. I'm a Pens fan because of him. I'm totally speechless."

"I was just on Twitter, and I saw and was like, 'Holy cow, is this true?'" "He's been my idol since I was like, eight," McDavid said. "For him to say something, it was absolutely amazing."

McDavid and Crosby have faced each other on the ice many times but typically only twice a season, as they play in two separate conferences.

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Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid will be teammates on Team Canada in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off

As two of the most talented players in hockey that happen to have been born in Canada, they're both shoo-ins to be included on the Team Canada roster for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-off scheduled to take place from February 12–20, 2025, at Montreal's Bell Centre and Boston's TD Garden.

McDavid said that he believes that there's no question that Crosby should serve as captain, while Crosby is looking forward to playing alongside McDavid rather than against him.

“Playing against him all these years,” Crosby said. “It’ll be much better playing with him.”

“That’s what it’s all about,” he continued. “Just really excited as players, and for fans, too for what they’re going to see.”

Sydney Crosby has appeared in 1,288 career NHL games, scoring 598 goals with 1,014 assists. He has also played a key role in all three of Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup wins in 2009, 2016 and 2017. Meanwhile, Connor McDavid has scored 339 goals 656 assists in 657 games.