What record did Sidney Crosby break? Penguins star's unique landmark explained

Sidney Crosby is widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time, and for good reason. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain has won three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, and two Hart Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player, among countless other accolades. However, one of the most impressive feats of Crosby's career is his ability to score 30 goals at the age of 18 and 35, making him the only player in NHL history to accomplish that feat.

Sidney Crosby becomes the only NHL player to score 30 goals as an 18 and 35-year-old

Crosby burst onto the scene in the 2005-06 season as an 18-year-old rookie, and immediately made his presence felt with 39 goals and 63 assists in 81 games. He finished second in the Calder Trophy voting for rookie of the year, behind Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin. However, Crosby's 39 goals set a new record for most goals by a teenager in NHL history, and signaled the arrival of a new superstar in the league.

Fast forward 17 years to the 2022-23 season, and SIdney Crosby is still going strong at age 35. Despite battling injuries early in the season, Crosby has recorded 30 goals in 71 games, becoming the oldest player in NHL history to reach that milestone. He achieved the feat on March 22nd in a game against the Colorado Avalanche.

To put Sidney Crosby's accomplishments into perspective, consider that only 16 players in NHL history have scored 30 goals in their age-18 season. Of those 16 players, only three (Crosby, Dale Hawerchuk, and Eric Lindros) went on to score 30 goals in their age-35 season. Crosby's longevity and continued success is a testament to his dedication to the game and his relentless work ethic.

Sidney Crosby's 30-goal seasons at the age of 18 and 35 are two examples of the many milestones he has reached in his career. He became the youngest captain in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup in 2009 at the age of 21, and has since led the Penguins to two more championships in 2016 and 2017. He has also won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime in the gold medal game in both 2010 and 2014.

In short, Sidney Crosby's career is one that will be remembered for generations to come. His ability to score 30 goals in both his age 18 and 35 seasons is one of the many reasons why he is considered one of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of skates.