Nathan Mackinnon looks back on his QMJHL days sharing how “The Dogg” became friends with idol Sidney Crosby

<strong>Nathan Mackinnon looks back on his QMJHL days sharing how “The Dogg” became friends with idol Sidney Crosby</strong>

Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon

Pittsburg Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Colorado Avalanche alternate captain Nathan Mackinnon may have more in common than anyone may think. Hailing from the same small town Cole Harbour while making their way to the NHL stage has been quite a journey for both stars. 

Looking back at their memories, Mackinnon noted that ‘The Next One’ never talks about himself. He rarely opens up and never takes credit for a team win. He always loves to include everyone, giving each of his teammates the praise they deserve. “He’s so humble”. “He never talks about himself.”

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“It’s hard to get information from him about his Cup runs. He truly needs to talk about himself more, which is great. He’s such a good person.” Prior to making their NHL debut, Mackinnon and Crosby both walked the same path.

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Starting from playing at Shattuck-Saint Mary’s boarding school in Faribault, to playing in QMJHL. They even played together during the 2015 World Championship as part of Team Canada. Despite Crosby being eight years older than Mackinnon, they’ve been friends for a long time.

Related: Sidney Crosby proudly ranks himself as ‘Top 5’ drunkest attendees at Nathan MacKinnon’s Stanley Cup celebration party

Nathan Mackinnon delves deeper into his friendship with Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby and Nathan Mackinnon [Image Credit: NHL.com]
Sidney Crosby and Nathan Mackinnon [Image Credit: NHL.com]

Apart from the on-ice friendship they even spend time off the track. Nathan Mackinnon and Sidney Crosby were spotted together taking a walk, doing light exercises, on the golf field, and even spending their day as delivery men together. 

They worked at Tim Horton’s drive-thru for a day, with the moment being well captured by the camera. Before being friends with Crosby, “The Dogg” Mackinnon idolized him. He said, “I feel like I’m just friends with him now.” 

“I stopped idolizing him a long time ago. We still joke about that, that I had posters of him in my room as a kid and now we’re buddies. It’s been fun to train with him.” 

When asked what Mackinnon learned from The Next One, he replied,  “He never gets comfortable”. “He’s always trying new things to get better and working so hard. It’s contagious. If a guy like that is trying to get better every day than anybody can.” “He’s been doing it for 12, 13 years now, he’s been the best in the league for that long. It’s been really impressive.”

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It’s not only Mackinnon who was his fan, Crosby also stated how kind and fun his friend is. Especially highlighting the 2022 Stanley Cup celebration. Among the players who participated in the Cup victory at Mackinnon’s place, Crosby rated himself top among drunk people.

He said that he definitely was the number one drunkard that day, as all other left the party leaving him in the room. Not to mention, he was quite proud of himself. He said, “[MacKinnon] left two hours before I did. I think I shut down the Alehouse that night.”

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