From idol to linemate, Sidney Crosby is the perfect mentor for Mitch Marner

While Marner was just 12 years old when Crosby won Canada Olympic gold in Vancouver, since he’s been in the NHL, he’s had a chance to form quite a friendship with the hockey legend. From playing together during the all-star weekend to training together for a couple of weeks during the offseason to now hitting the ice together in overtime for Canada, it’s been quite the journey. While Marner was quick to point out it was a great pass from Crosby to leave it in the neutral zone for him with a head of steam, Crosby wasn’t going to take any credit for what came next.

“I was on the bench when he scored so he did all the work,” said Canada’s captain with an ear-to-ear smile after the game. Crosby finished the night with three assists, was the game’s first star, and felt nothing but absolute love from the crowd in Montreal.

During the 2023 all-star weekend, Marner relished the chance to get to spend some quality time with Crosby. Marner was asked then what stood out the most following Sid’s hockey journey, and despite the multiple Stanley Cups, Marner was quick to point out that the golden goal takes the cake:

Crosby is the pedigree of a professional. He works extremely hard to master his craft, he never takes a shift, a practice, or a training session in the summer off. Everything matters to Crosby and it’s a big reason why he’s had so much success throughout the years. Marner getting a chance to soak it all in from the hockey legend is going to do nothing but help his game, give him confidence in big moments, and most of all, have a whole lot of fun along the way. We’ve been waiting almost a decade for best-on-best hockey, and for Marner, it must have felt like two decades not getting the chance to represent your country with your idol.

Crosby takes home his Rolex for winning player of the game, meanwhile, Marner leaves with a memory that will last a lifetime. Who says don’t meet your heroes?