Wayne Gretzky was asked many years ago if he thought anyone would be able to break his scoring records - and The Great One said that then up-and-coming draft prospect Sidney Crosby could.
This time around, Sid The Kid is paying his own compliments forward - to future NHL draft pick Connor McDavid.
The world's best player watched highlights of the 15-year-old hockey prodigy playing with the nearby Erie Otters of the OHL recently and came away impressed.
"He looks like he's got it all," Crosby told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "When I watched him play, he reminded me of myself."
McDavid, who was granted exceptional status to play in the OHL this season, already has four goals and 11 points in nine games.
"I can't believe Sidney Crosby said that about me," McDavid told the Tribune-Review. "I mean, that's my childhood hero. I'm a Pens fan because of him. I'm totally speechless. I'm amazed."
Born on Jan. 13, 1997, McDavid played for the minor midget Toronto Marlboros last season, where he scored 33 goals and 39 assists for 72 points in 33 games as GTHL Player of the Year.
He also led the 2012 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament in scoring with 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points in seven games and won tournament MVP, recording the most points in an OHL Cup since Sam Gagner's 17 points in five games for the Marlboros in 2005.
"I like the way he distributes the puck," Crosby said. "He seems to have all the tools."
McDavid is already projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft.
Files from The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review were used for this report.
