Sidney Crosby's impact remains strong after all these years

At a Penguins practice at UBC, large crowds—many children—gathered to watch Sidney Crosby, whose warmth and long career continue to draw admiration; Kris Letang practiced and his availability for Sunday’s game versus the Canucks had not been confirmed.

The Penguins practiced at the University of British Columbia's Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre on Saturday, and a large number of fans filled the rink to watch their skaters. Many of the spectators were children who cheered, held signs and followed Sidney Crosby during the hour-long practice. The scene underscored Crosby's enduring presence in the sport and the lasting memories tied to moments such as his Golden Goal for Canada. Noted details: - The practice drew a crowd that included many children who clamored to see Sidney Crosby and cheered when he skated near them. - Teammate Parker Wotherspoon described Crosby as "still the guy" and praised his standing among fans. - Jim Rutherford recounted an instance where Crosby climbed an icy hill after a game to sign autographs and speak with children, calling the way Crosby treats children "the single most impressive thing" he has seen in the sport. - Crosby is 38 and remains a visible and warmly regarded figure in locker rooms, including alongside rookies such as Ben Kindel. - Practice notes indicated Kris Letang returned to practice without a no-contact jersey; Dan Muse did not confirm if Letang will play Sunday against the Canucks, and if he returns a teammate would likely be a healthy scratch. Summary: Sidney Crosby continues to draw pronounced attention from fans of all ages and is frequently noted for his warmth and long-term influence in hockey. The Penguins remain active in the schedule, with Kris Letang practicing and his game-day status for Sunday’s matchup against the Canucks undetermined at this time.