Sidney Crosby Gives Emotional Statement on passing of Former Mentor

Sidney Crosby put out a statement to reporters following the death of a former mentor of his.

Doris Labonté, Crosby's former coach of the QMJHL Rimouski Océanic, passed away yesterday at the age of 69.

Labonté, who had been the Assistant GM for Rimouski, was instrumental in the recruitment of Crosby, taken first overall by the team in the 2003 QMJHL Draft.

Crosby had been playing for the elite Hockey academy Shattuck-St. Mary's, and Labonté helped in getting Crosby to the Q, leading to a historical career in Quebec, with the QMJHL later retiring Crosby's 87 league wide in 2017.

Crosby spoke on Labonté's passing to the Montreal Journal, saying on his passing,

Labonté spent over a decade with Rimouski, and also was involved with the development of future NHL stars Vincent Lecavalier and Brad Richards.

Labonté was the Head Coach of Rimouski's 2000 Memorial Cup and QMJHL Cup winning team, as well as in 2005, after returning as HC following a move to an AGM role. Labonté retired from Hockey in 2007.