QMJHL creates Sidney Crosby Trophy for top rookie

The QMJHL's top rookie will receive the Sidney Crosby Trophy starting this season, the league announced Tuesday.

Crosby played two seasons in the QMJHL with the Rimouski Oceanic from 2003-05. He tallied 120 goals and 303 points in 121 regular-season games and added another 21 goals and 47 points in 22 playoff contests.

"Some of my fondest memories of hockey come from my time in the QMJHL playing for the Oceanic," Crosby said. "It's an absolute honor to have the league's Rookie of the Year trophy named after me."

Crosby not only took home QMJHL and CHL Rookie of the Year honors in 2004, but he was named Player of the Year. He won the award the following season as well. Crosby led the Oceanic to a QMJHL title in 2005, but the team came up short in the Memorial Cup.

The QMJHL's Rookie of the Year trophy didn't have an official name before Tuesday.

"When the committee met, Crosby's name quickly became the unanimous choice," QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini said. "He has left such an important mark on the history of the Oceanic and the QMJHL, and you can see how proud he is of his time with us every time he talks about it."

The QMJHL renamed the league's top scorer award after Mario Lemieux in 2024. The junior circuit also has trophies named after icons Jean Beliveau, Guy Lafleur, Mike Bossy, and Jacques Plante, among others.