May 6, 2008 11:48 am US/Eastern
Sidney Crosby: Cole Harbour's Hometown Hero
COLE HARBOUR, Nova Scotia (KDKA) ―
From the second Sidney Crosby started playing hockey in Pittsburgh it was clear the Penguins had someone special.
But years ago in a small Canadian town, people will tell you they knew Crosby was a star at the age of 6.
KDKA's Alison Morris caught up with some of those people and visited Sid's hometown of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.
The locals have been watching him play since he was literally "Sid the Kid" and now he's a hero to the next generation of kids playing hockey in Canada, the U.S. and around the world.
"It's really great for a really young superstar to be from Cole Harbour like we are," said Jared Guthro, a Cole Harbour hockey player. "So, I'm hoping to be like him when I grow up."
Sidney might only be 20 years old now, but he's a Cole Harbour legend and his hometown couldn't be prouder.
He's even named on new welcome signs as you drive into town.
Just about anyone that's ever met Sid will say the same thing.
"I think he's a pretty regular guy, pretty down to earth," said Cory Bell of Prince Edward Island. "He always has time for everybody in the community. He's always donating stuff to local charities, making time for the young kids in the community and such."
Crosby was a great hockey player even when he was little when he played for the Cole Harbour Timbits and later with the Red Wings.
"He's the hardest working guy you've ever seen," said Brad Crossley, Sid's midget hockey coach. "The most focused player even amongst the kids 4, 5 years older than him. The intensity level was amazing and everybody fed off it."
It's not only coaches who were impressed with Sidney.
Two teachers from Sid's junior high school said Crosby was their favorite student.
"You gotta dig deep to find some dirt or find something on him because he's the golden boy," said teacher Andrea Rushton.
"His work ethic, composure and his confidence and is so self directed. It's unbelievable," said guidance counselor Doug Ransome.
We toured the school and the compliments kept flowing.
School secretary Sandra Bona described him as "always head and shoulders above the rest."
Now Sid's friends and fans in Cole Harbour are hoping he'll continue to be a stand out in the playoffs and go all the way to win the Stanley Cup.
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