Now if you were Crosby, (can you do that for a minute?) would you rather paly for a city like Toronto or Ottawa, or a city like San Jose?
Being 18 years old (by the start of the 2005-2006 season) and trying to have some sort of life off the ice. I would rathe play in an obscure hockey city, but one that has a decent hockey team that would be commited to winning.
I wouldn't want to play in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, etc. I wouldn't be able to walk out my door without being stopped by fans and media types. Have you ever stopped and signed 200 autographs? How could you just go to the movies, out to dinner, or anywhere without being bugged? Go on a date? You'd have to get a limo and almost disguise yourself.
Is being in the public and accessible part of your life and NHL duty? Sure, but I'd rather do it an hour a day or so, compared to a 24 hour thing.
I am in LA and I ran into Gretzky at training camp in 1995. I was in the eatery at the rink early at 7:30 AM. There were about 8 people in the place. I wanted him to sign my King hat, but felt like, how can I ask a guy sitting there just trying to have a cup of coffee in peace - a guy who has been bugged every day and night of his life since he was 15?? I was lucky that he looked at me readinf my Hockey News and asked if he could look at it. I said sure, if you sign my hat! I brought him my hockey news and my hat and it was a good deal. he signed my hat and ran thru the HN kinda fast and gave it back. He didn't even read any stories, which led me to believe he was looking for one of his ads, to see if it was in there...
Anyway, I hope Crosby goes on to have a great career and wherever he goes he is happy and has some fun.