Sid the Kid inks extension with Pens
Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby has signed a five-year contract extension that will keep him with the club through the 2012-13 season.
Financial details of the new deal were not released, but Crosby will play the upcoming season under the terms of his original entry-level contract. The extension will take effect with the start of the 2008-09 campaign.
Crosby had a banner second season with the Penguins in 2006-07 at just 19 years of age, winning the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL scoring champion and the Hart Trophy as the league's regular-season MVP.
"Sidney has proven himself to be a dynamic player and team leader at a very young age, and it is exciting news for our franchise and our fans to have him under contract for the next six seasons, through 2013," said Penguins general manager Ray Shero in a statement Tuesday. "When you've got a guy who leads the league in scoring and wins the MVP award at the age of 19, you know have someone very special. But Sid also is a tremendous asset for this organization as a leader in the dressing room, and as the face of our franchise in the community. And the fact that he wants to be here long-term is a great statement about the city of Pittsburgh and our organization."
Crosby notched 36 goals and 84 assists for 120 points last season, helping the Penguins to their first playoff berth since 2001. In addition to the Hart Trophy, he was also named a First-Team All-Star at center and won the Lester B. Pearson Award as the league's most outstanding player in voting by his peers.
"I really enjoy playing and living in Pittsburgh and I want to be here for a long time," said Crosby in a statement Tuesday. "Individual honors and scoring championships are great, but my No. 1 goal is to win the Stanley Cup. I'd love to be a part of bringing the Cup back here to Pittsburgh."
The 5-foot 11, 193-pound native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia became the youngest player to win a scoring title in North American professional sports. Through two NHL seasons, his career totals are 75 goals, 147 assists and 222 points in 160 games. He will turn 20 years old on August 7.
Crosby, the first pick of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, is the youngest player in NHL history to record 100 and 200 career points.