Prep school friends

Penguins center Sidney Crosby and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jack Johnson are friends dating to their teen years when they were teammates at Shattuck, a Minnesota prep school, in 2002-03. They were drafted two slots apart in 2005, Crosby first overall, Johnson third.

Because they play in opposite conferences and due to Johnson breaking into the league more slowly and Crosby missing a big chunk of games in 2008 because of a high ankle sprain, the two had played against each other just once in the NHL before last night.

That was March 20, when Crosby had a goal and an assist and Johnson no points and a plus-minus rating of minus-2 in a 4-1 Penguins win at Mellon Arena.

Crosby said the two have kept in touch.

“It’s great to see he’s having a nice year,” Crosby said of Johnson, who entered the game with a goal and three assists.

“Text messaging is great for [keeping in touch]. We drop each other a text once in a while, see how things are going, maybe look at a highlight.”

Lots of reunions

The Kings’ Rob Scuderi isn’t the only player who was with the Penguins for some or all of last season who has faced his old team already this season.

Through just the first 16 games, the Penguins have played against Scuderi, Hal Gill (Montreal), Petr Sykora (Minnesota), Darryl Sydor (St. Louis), Mathieu Garon (Columbus), Ryan Whitney (Anaheim) and Paul Bissonette (Phoenix).

“We played against that many of them?” goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury said, thinking back to short reunions with some of them.

Some got their Stanley Cup rings when they met the Penguins this season.

“It seems like every game we play we’re seeing a familiar face,” Crosby said. “It’s good to catch up with guys and see them. As long as they’re happy and doing well, that’s the important thing.”

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09310/1011272-61.stm?cmpid=penguins.xml#ixzz0W4zYLFOF