Cooley takes opening face-off against Crosby, receives warm welcome in hometown

Logan Cooley and Sidney Crosby had a full circle moment on Tuesday.

The Arizona Coyotes rookie took the opening face-off against the Penguins captain during their game at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.

Cooley, who is the highest draft pick from Pittsburgh, was a participant in the first season of Crosby’s Little Penguins Learn to Play Hockey Program in 2008.

Crosby’s program teaches kids ages 5 to 9 the fundamentals of hockey and offers free hockey equipment.

“For him to give you free equipment, and just for kids to go out there and have fun and see what it's all about. … When I first stepped foot on that ice, I knew I loved it, and wanted to do something special with it,” Cooley told the Penguins website. “So, it was definitely huge, and it was a huge start for my career. It’s super fun that I have a guy like Crosby to kind of get me started with the game.”

Tuesday was Cooley’s first game in Pittsburgh since being drafted by the Coyotes with the No. 3 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. His family was at PPG Paints Arena for the game.

"It's a pretty special feeling,” Cooley said after the game. “Crosby is a guy that I watched a lot. To take the first draw against him was pretty special. It's a special night for my family too. I had family and friends here. It's a night that we'll remember for a while.”

He signed an entry-level contract in July and has 15 points (3 goals, 12 assists) in 28 games this season.

– NHL.com independent correspondent Wes Crosby contributed to this report