Sidney Crosby’s impressive connection to Joe Sakic

On Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the San Jose Sharks to capture the Stanley Cup. It marked the second time in captain Sidney Crosby’s career he hoisted the storied prize. It was the first time, however, that he also was awarded the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP.

With the latter designation, Crosby joined a pretty exclusive club. The 28-year-old center has now won a Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe, Hart Memorial Trophy (NHL regular season MVP) and gold medals at the Olympics, World Championship and World Junior Championship. The only other player to accomplish all of this? Former Colorado Avalanche captain and current general manager Joe Sakic.

Like Crosby (so far, at least), Sakic captured the Stanley Cup twice. The Avalanche won in both 1996 and 2001. Crosby’s first Cup came in 2009.

Sakic won the Conn Smythe in 1996, leading the Avalanche in scoring with 34 points in 22 games. Though he didn’t put up the lofty numbers that Sakic did, an outstanding two-way game, a solid 19 points in 24 contests and the lack of another breakout candidate saw Crosby capture the trophy this year.

Sakic’s Hart Trophy win came in their second Stanley Cup season in 2000-01, when he posted an impressive 54 goals and 118 points in 82 games. Crosby has won two regular season MVPs, coming in 2006-07 and 2013-14.

When Canada broke its over 50-year gold medal drought in hockey at the 2002 Olympics, it was Sakic who led the charge offensively. He captured the MVP after scoring seven points in six games during the tournament. Crosby won gold in both 2010 and 2014, serving as captain for the latter team.

Sakic played for Canada in two World Championships, winning gold in 1994. Crosby has also played in the tournament twice, winning gold in 2015.

For the World Junior Championship gold, you have to go back a ways for Sakic, as his came in 1988.Crosby won his gold in 2005.

Both players have won a series of awards that the other individual either hasn’t or hasn’t yet captured. Most notably, Sakic is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. As far as that goes, Crosby is well on his way.