It's special. I'd never think I'd get the opportunity to do something like this.
Sidney Crosby, a hockey hero widely regarded as one of the best NHL players in the history of the league, returned to home ice with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the NHL’s Nova Scotia Showdown against the Ottawa Senators on October 2, 2023. More than 10,000 fans filled Scotiabank Centre to watch Crosby and the Penguins face-off 18 years after Crosby won the President’s Cup at Scotiabank Centre with Rimouski Oceanic in 2005. Since his NHL debut that year, Crosby has claimed two Olympic gold medals, three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017) and two record-breaking 30-goal seasons. He has become untouchable in the sport and a lifelong hero to fans around the world, and especially in Nova Scotia.
When presented with the opportunity to bring the Penguins back to Halifax (after playing an NHL preseason game at Scotiabank Centre in 2007), Crosby made it happen. This time, he included his community of Cole Harbour, including practice games at Cole Harbour Place with junior players, and team activities like a scavenger hunt around Halifax. It's not often that a visiting preseason game includes the whole city.
Bruce Rainnie, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame and CBC Sports reporter, sat down with Sidney at Scotiabank Centre before the game. In the interview, Sidney talk about his memories of Halifax, his favourite Halifax Mooseheads players, and his hometown fans. What sticks out to him most? "The people," he said. "Obviously, they're passionate about hockey, but they're proud of this place, as well."
Watch the full interview here:
To celebrate the game, Scotiabank Centre asked Nova Scotians to prove they were Sidney’s biggest fan with a contest to win sold-out tickets to the game and a Penguins prize pack. Hundreds of photos were submitted from across the region, including selfies with Sidney, mountains of memorabilia, many dogs, kids, and trucks named Sidney, and families who have made unforgettable memories watching him play. Sidney brings together people of all ages who create meaningful moments to cherish for a lifetime.
“I have been a huge fan of hockey my whole life,” said super fan Angie Brooks. “I started playing hockey at Centennial Arena, the first female to play there. Every time Sidney brought the cup home, I attended the parades. He autographed my sneaker. He was my mom's favorite player and she cheered him on until June 26, 2017, when she lost her battle with cancer. The Penguins won the cup that year.”
That was the best day of my life, to see Sid up close. It was really special for me and my Dad to watch him together.
Halifax, Nova Scotia is a hockey city, and Scotiabank Centre was proud to host thousands of diehard fans for the return of a hometown hero. “It's been really special to see how the community has welcomed him home, but also how proud he's been to showcase the community to his team,” said Suzanne Fougere, Executive Vice-President of Scotiabank Centre.” When you see [the Pittsburgh Penguins] all over the city, all over Cole Harbour, it's pretty special to be a Nova Scotian and get to take part in that."
