In his 16th season with Pittsburgh, Crosby has won the Hart Trophy voted as NHL most valuable player twice (2006-07, 2013-14), the Conn Smythe Trophy voted as most valuable player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs twice (2016, 2017), the Art Ross Trophy for leading the NHL in scoring twice (2006-07, 2013-14), and the Rocket Richard Trophy for scoring the most goals twice (2009-10, 2016-17).
Crosby said he remembers arriving at Pittsburgh International Airport for the first time in 2005.
"Just the amount of people that were there," Crosby said. "Just the excitement, and just how welcome I felt from the very first day I got here right from that experience on. I think, as far as what I felt that day, I've felt the entire time since I've been here, and that's just a real passion for the game and for our team; supportive fans who are with us all the time."
Out of 999 regular-season games, Crosby said the most memorable might have been his first in Pittsburgh, in his third NHL game. At Mellon Arena on Oct. 8, 2005, the 18-year-old scored a goal and had two assists in a 7-6 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins.
"Just feeling that excitement, that atmosphere," Crosby said. "Finally playing at home. Getting my first goal."
In the Penguins' last home game that season, Crosby needed three points to reach 100, and had three assists in a 6-1 win against the Islanders on April 17, 2006.
"I think we're in 29th place," Crosby said. "Didn't really have a reason to have an atmosphere like that. But everyone came out and were so supportive. You would have thought it was a playoff game that night, just the way people wanted to see me get 100 points and were supporting me that way. Just kind of one of those nights you didn't expect when you step out on the ice."
Crosby played his first NHL game Oct. 5, 2005, against the New Jersey Devils and goalie Martin Brodeur. Crosby had an assist, but Pittsburgh lost 5-1.
If there was something Crosby could go back to tell that version of himself, he said it would be to remain patient.
"There's things you have to learn and things you have to experience in order to improve," Crosby said. "It doesn't happen overnight. Just to enjoy it as much as you can, because it goes fast."