Pittsburgh Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby Celebrates His Birthday In Nova Scotia With The Stanley Cup

Yesterday, the hockey star arrived in Cole Harbour, his hometown, for his 22nd birthday, coming in on a Sea King helicopter with the cup held over his head for hundreds of thrilled fans and friends. The helicopter landed on the flight deck of the HCMS Preserver at the Halifax Dockyard. Crosby chose the spot because of the city's connection to the military and he wanted to share the cup with the members of the Armed Forces.

"This is something that I felt was important," he said. "There's a lot of troops that aren't here right now who are overseas ... but for the ones who are here I thought they would really get a kick out of it."

Following his landing, Crosby planned to visit a children's hospital in Halifax followed by a parade in Cole Harbour where thousands were expected.

Crosby, the first overall pick in the 2005 NHL draft, is the youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup.