[News] QMJHL announces it will retire Crosby's 87 league wide

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Although he came out of junior the same year as Fleury and was about the same size. You’d think some team might give him a chance at some point before he finally did get his cup of coffee in 1999.

But then I guess Martin St. Louis almost didn’t get a fair shake either and that was quite a bit later.

Fleury was 5’ 6 153 , his first year pro.

[N-E-B]

Not a fan of league-wide retirements but if you’re going to do it then Sid has definitely earned it.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Ped

His size according to hockeydb was 5 foot six and 160 pounds.


In the 80s, that wasn't going to get you anywhere, unfortunately


Far too many small skilled guys never got a fair shake, and the Q was kind of always viewed as a league where the stats were inflated, no? Or was that later?


But 136 assists in 70 games - wow.

Another guy was Guy Rouleux, Luc Robitaille's centerman. In 1986 his stats were 91-100-191 in 61 games.

Never drafted and never played an NHL game Heck Robitaiile was a 7th round pick.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

He managed to get 3 games with the 98-99' Capitals at age 31. Pretty fascinating career path - ended up playing in Italy until he was 42!

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p...y.php?pid=3076

I was going to make a joke about him outscoring the esteemed Radek Bonk in LV until I looked at Bonk's page and was reminded that he had a pretty good career, outscoring Marion Hossa one year, who shortly thereafter went on to score 100 points

[Resolute 14]

League-wide number retirements are dumb.

[DomeFoam]

Agreed. I hope Rieder wears #99 this year.

[CroFlames]

This is silly.

What baseball did for 42 is a nice touch and a nod to something a lot bigger than baseball.

Crosby is maybe the best hockey player ever, but hasn't transcended sport in any way.

The Q just trying to gain some publicity and maybe sponsorship while Crosby is still popular (and rich).

[Resolute 14]

There's a legitimate argument that Crosby isn't even the best player of his generation, much less the best ever.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

There's a legitimate argument that Crosby isn't even the best player of his generation, much less the best ever.

Who would be included in that argument? I'd be hard pressed to even put anyone against him in his generation, let alone defeating him.

[Resolute 14]

Ovechkin.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

There's a legitimate argument that Crosby isn't even the best player of his generation, much less the best ever.

The GOAT argument has always revolved around Wayne, Mario and Bobby, but I think when it's all said and done Crosby's name is included in that group.

One thing that is hard to argue is that Crosby is the most COMPLETE player ever. Ovi, for my money, is the best goal scorer ever.


Nevertheless, league wide retirement for anyone who didn't transcend sport is silly.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

League-wide number retirements are dumb.

Yeah I think this is silly.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Holy crap.

In 1983–84 when Mario Lemieux led the QMJHL with 133 goals and 282 points in 70 games, he outpaced the #2 scorer by 57 goals and 112 points. That is ridiculous.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Lemieux was pretty good.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The GOAT argument has always revolved around Wayne, Mario and Bobby, but I think when it's all said and done Crosby's name is included in that group.

One thing that is hard to argue is that Crosby is the most COMPLETE player ever. Ovi, for my money, is the best goal scorer ever.


Nevertheless, league wide retirement for anyone who didn't transcend sport is silly.

Bobby Orr (I know, some people struggle with the idea of a 'complete' defenseman, but he was)
Gordie Howe
Jean Beliveau

I don't think a lot of people will be classifying Crosby as the best ever. And that is in no way a slight on him, the guy is awesome. But not best ever.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Bobby Orr (I know, some people struggle with the idea of a 'complete' defenseman, but he was)
Gordie Howe
Jean Beliveau

I don't think a lot of people will be classifying Crosby as the best ever. And that is in no way a slight on him, the guy is awesome. But not best ever.

Crosby and Ovechkin will both join that conversation.

The list of “best ever” doesn’t just end. As long as the league is around it will grow (which is why I agree jersey retirements are kinda dumb).

We’ve been lucky the last decade and a half to watch two of the most dominate players ever. They both bring different qualities, and they have both been the best in the league at what they bring for the entirety of their careers so far.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Crosby and Ovechkin will both join that conversation.

The list of “best ever” doesn’t just end. As long as the league is around it will grow (which is why I agree jersey retirements are kinda dumb).

We’ve been lucky the last decade and a half to watch two of the most dominate players ever. They both bring different qualities, and they have both been the best in the league at what they bring for the entirety of their careers so far.

Orr had 139 points (46 goals) in a season and was plus 123. Tough to join that conversation.
I’ll go with Enoch.
Best NHL player, up to this point , in history.
Sadly, his career was substantially shortened with knee injuries.
But make no mistake, he dramatically changed the game, more than any other player, for the better.