He didn’t have to do that

Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Bill Zonnon recently shared how a simple gesture from Sidney Crosby stood out during his first training camp with the organization. While recovering from an injury, Zonnon said the Penguins captain regularly checked in to see how he was doing.

Speaking with ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, Zonnon reflected on his first experience at Penguins training camp and what it has been like entering an organization led by Crosby. He said Crosby made an effort to see how his recovery was progressing, even though the two barely knew each other.

“I was injured during training camp, but I was still hanging out there every day and he would come to me and ask me questions about my injury. And I mean, he didn’t have to do that. He was probably one of the only guys that did it, but that just tells you that he has time for everyone, and he’s a great person all around.”

Zonnon was selected by the Penguins with the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft after playing for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He is now working toward earning a full-time spot with Pittsburgh

Sidney Crosby recently made another young fan’s day in the Bahamas

Bill Zonnon’s story isn’t the only recent example of Sidney Crosby going out of his way for others. Earlier this week, while vacationing in the Bahamas, the Penguins captain took time to meet a 10-year-old fan after she approached him for a photo.

According to Pittsburgh Hockey Now, what began as a quick picture turned into a much longer interaction. Crosby met the girl’s family, talked hockey with them, posed for several photos and quietly paid for their meal without telling anyone. He also left behind an autograph and a handwritten note before leaving.

The gesture came after another strong season for Crosby with the Penguins. The 38 year old recorded 29 goals and 45 assists for 74 points in 68 games while surpassing 1,700 career NHL points and overtaking Mario Lemieux as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.

Sidney Crosby also captained Canada to a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. He missed 11 games after returning to Pittsburgh because of a lower-body injury sustained during the Olympic tournament before rejoining the lineup.

Edited by Sonali Verma