Orrs Jewelers Autumn_Holiday 2022

PENGUIN CONNECTIONS

LOGAN COOLEY SYDNEY CROSBY’S LITTLE PENGUINS ALUM

W hen Sidney Crosby first had the idea to establish the Little Penguins Learn to Play Program years ago, the main goal was always just to increase participation in hockey. It has certainly accomplished that, with the program introducing over 14,000 youths to the game since its inaugural 2008-09 season. “But we had always said, we’re probably going to have a player that comes out of it who ends up playing high-level college hockey, or hopefully goes on and plays pro,” said Rich Hixon, the Penguins’ senior vice president of facilities, who helped oversee the growth of the team’s youth hockey initiatives. “That was really our goal. Now, at the time, we didn’t know that player was going to come from our first year of the program.” That player is Logan Cooley. After getting his start with Little Penguins, the West Mifflin native became the area’s highest-ever draft pick when the Arizona Coyotes took him with the third overall selection at the 2022 NHL Draft. The future is incredibly bright for the blue-chip prospect with Pittsburgh roots, which is something really special to the Penguins captain. “I think I just look at that as being really cool, because the purpose of Little Penguins is to introduce kids to the game and give them the opportunity,” Crosby said. “The fact that he fell in love with the game and obviously has done really well is awesome to see. But I think at the same time, it’s just about getting the opportunity. So I’m glad that it’s worked out that way.” Crosby has always praised the efforts of everybody involved, starting with the support from the NHL, NHLPA, the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, DICK’S Sporting Goods, CCM, and USA Hockey to provide first-time participants with free head-to-toe equipment — including a No. 87 jersey.

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Photo by Joe Sargent/Pittsburgh Penguins

From there, the Penguins and the participating area rinks do an excellent job of making sure that the kids and their families are able to experience everything that makes youth hockey so rewarding, with age-appropriate on- ice instruction by certified coaches. “It’s a community,” Crosby said. “It’s families and volunteers.” But ultimately, it’s Crosby’s influence and involvement with Little Penguins that has the biggest impact. He looks back fondly at similar experiences from his own childhood, and feels passionate about doing everything within his power to provide that same type of opportunity and atmosphere, just without the financial strain. “Hockey’s a really expensive sport, and I think being able to get free equipment and have Crosby out on the ice… obviously you’re really young, but any chance to learn from him — he’s one of the best players in the world, if not the best,” Logan said. “Anything you can take from him and try to put in your game and grow as a person and player from him was something that’s really cool and helped me along the way, and I’m really grateful for that.”

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