“Always a Sidney Crosby fan,” Brayden Yager raves about his $80 million idol crush following Pens 2023 NHL Draft selection

Brayden Yager reveals that Sidney Crosby has always been his idol and how he’s excited to be a part of his team following the 2023 draft selection.

“Always a Sidney Crosby fan,” Brayden Yager raves about his $80 million idol crush following Pens 2023 NHL Draft selection

Brayden Yager and Sidney Crosby [Image Credit: NHL/Pittsburgh Hockey Now]

Sidney Crosby, ‘The Next One’ has always been an inspiration for young hockey players. The young hockey players have always admired the Pens phenom as they strived toward their NHL dream. This time, it seems the team’s new joinee is a big fan of Crosby and has expressed his excitement to be part of his idol’s team.

Brayden Yager was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins as the 14th overall in the 2023 National Hockey League Draft selection. Following his draft selection he spoke about how much he idolizes Sidney Crosby and what it means to be on the same team and don the same colored jersey.

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Yager noted, “I was just always a Sidney Crosby fan growing up”. “He’s a guy that I’ve modelled my game after since I was a little kid. It kind of feels crazy to put on a jersey that’s the same as his.” He further stated that it was “a definitely crazy but super-special moment” when ‘The Next One’ called him to congratulate.

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Related: Connor Bedard HYPED UP to face idol Sidney Crosby after text from ‘The Next One’ following No. 1 draft selection by Blackhawks 

Sidney Crosby becomes the inspiration for rookie hockey players

Sidney Crosby [Image Credit: The Athletic]
Sidney Crosby [Image Credit: The Athletic]

Brayden Yager commented that “it was super cool to hear from a guy like that” after his 2023 draft selection. Yager expressed that “it’ll be even cooler to meet all those guys in person”. The 18-year-old is set to join the team’s development camp and later debut on the NHL stage.

The WHL rookie enjoyed 28 goals and 50 assists in 67 games during the 2022-23 season, and 6 goals and 10 assists in 10 playoff games. He said that it was insane when he got the call from the organization about his selection and he’s still in the process of “soaking it in right now.” 

Yager who was accompanied by his family and girlfriend Jocelyn, revealed that the forward had a “gut feeling” that the Pittsburgh Penguins will be the organization where he ends up in. He appreciated his loved one’s support by saying, “They’re the biggest part of my hockey career”.

Apart from Brayden Yager being a fan of Crosby, there’s another generational rookie who’s been hyped up even before he got into NHL. Connor Bedard, the rookie phenom is often compared with Crosby and Connor McDavid. He’s also predicted to cross several Wayne Gretzky records during his spotlight time.

Bedard also regarded Crosby as his idol and noted how much it meant for ‘The Next One’ to reach out to him. Crosby once said that Bedard as a player has “no weaknesses” in his movements. Getting such praise from the NHL star hyped up the fans on social media.

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