Sidney Crosby Donates Car He Won As NHL All-Star Game MVP
Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby gave away the brand-new Honda Passport he received after being named MVP of the NHL All-Star Game this past January, and it went to a very deserving fan.
Army Spc. Madeline Malizio, 28, juggles military service, school and being a single mom to her 3-year-old son Maverick — while taking public transportation and Ubers to get where she needs to go. She was shocked on Friday when Crosby said he was giving her the car, she said.
Very cool!! -DP pic.twitter.com/7SD3XwjqOM
— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) November 8, 2019
“Sidney Crosby got me a car,” Malizio told members of the media, according to the Penguins. “It’s been the best day ever. I can’t even put into words how grateful I am, and how blessed I feel for what he’s done today.”
You know what's even cooler?
Giving it away to a veteran who truly needs it.
Read more: https://t.co/PqgcdoGMWu https://t.co/9imChhYIRC pic.twitter.com/VEm5wauLLB
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 8, 2019
Malizio, whose parents were also military veterans, has been in the Army for 5 years and was one of 10 veterans invited to the team’s practice on Friday.
She and other vets are expected to attend the Penguins’ home game on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Pens will continue to salute veterans tomorrow during our broadcast which begins at 6pm! – DP pic.twitter.com/y3VArXSaWE
— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) November 8, 2019
Malizio got to meet Crosby inside the team’s locker room at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, where he showed her the new car.
“He was telling me how he heard about my story and he wanted to do something to help my situation,” she said. “I was confused. I wasn’t sure what he could be talking about. He puts the garage up and it’s this car.”
“I felt weak in my knees,” Malizio added. “I felt speechless. I don’t really think there is a word to describe how you feel in that moment.”
Crosby also presented the car he won at last year’s All-Star Game to one of the veterans!! More on all this tomorrow at 6pm on Pens Pre Game! -DP pic.twitter.com/7klPzSOiWP
— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) November 8, 2019
Her son was really excited, too, the Penguins said.
“Hello everybody! I like our brand-new car!” Maverick exclaimed.
Now the proud owner of a new vehicle, Malizio said she won’t have to wait in the cold for buses or cars when she brings her son to daycare or goes to school.
“[Maverick] knows that this is a big deal,” Malizio said. “It’s a big deal to him, too. He gets it. He knows that this is going to be so much better for us. And warmer. It’s getting cold outside.”
Now that she has a new car, she plans to “drive it everywhere,” Malizio added.
Crosby, a native of Cole Harbor, Nova Scotia, has played with the Penguins since he was 18 and has helped Pittsburgh win three Stanley Cups. This is his 15th season with the team.