Sidney Crosby’s Stanley Cup moment shared by ex-teammate Steven Oleksy

Sidney Crosby’s Stanley Cup kindness still stuns ex-Penguins blueliner Steven Oleksy

Sidney Crosby handed Steven Oleksy his first sip of beer from the Stanley Cup in 2017, a moment the ex-Penguins defenseman still treasures ahead of the Capitals’ home opener against Pittsburgh.

What happened in 2017

Oleksy was on the roster when Crosby’s Penguins claimed their second straight Stanley Cup in June 2017. After a grueling playoff run, Crosby cracked open the Cup in the locker room and started pouring champagne for teammates. Oleksy, a 30-year-old rookie call-up, got his first taste of the Cup from Crosby himself.

How Crosby and Ovechkin shaped Oleksy’s career

Oleksy began his NHL journey in Washington, where he met Alex Ovechkin in 2013. “There’s not a pure goal scorer I’ve ever seen who compares to him,” Oleksy said. “He plays for the love of the game, and it shows.” After three seasons with the Capitals, Oleksy joined Pittsburgh and skated alongside Crosby, though most of his time came in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The guilt of leaving D.C. and the joy of 2018

Oleksy felt conflicted when the Capitals won the Cup in 2018. “You feel guilty, sad, bad because it’s not with the people you came up with,” he said. Still, watching his former teammates hoist the trophy in Washington brought him relief and pride.

What’s next when the Capitals host the Penguins

The two teams renew their rivalry on opening night in Washington, with Oleksy reflecting on the rare chance to play for both franchises. “If you could handpick two organizations to play for, everybody would probably select those two,” he said.