Instead Sidney joined together with Jackson Johnson the Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Fairbault, Minnesota, one of Americas top hockey oriented schools. As with all leagues Sidney had played in so far he dominated SSM scoring 72 goals in just 57 games. And he was the only kid under 18 to be suit up for Canada during the 2003 World Junior Championships. The only Canadian players who has done the same at 16 years old is Jay Bouwmeester, Wayne Gretzky, Eric Lindros and Jason Spezza.

He had instant success wearing the Canadian jersey scoring a goal against Switzerland making him the youngest player ever to score for Canada.

Season 2003-2004 after a year playing for SSM, Sidney was finally ready for QMJHL and Rimouski Oceanic picked him up as the number one draft choice. Success came right away, Sidney got 8 (!) points in the first game playing for Rimouski Oceanic. It was from this game people gave him the nickname Derryl. (Derryl Snyder has the record of getting 10points in on game.)

Playing in QMJHL made Sidney stronger and better as a all around hockey player. He had grown to 5-10 and 175 pounds. Sidney Crosby was one of few super-talented forwards who didn't hesitate to play aggressively especially against big defensemen who tried to get on his nerves. Doing this gave Sidney lots of respect and penalties! After playing 59 games he had put up some amazing numbers like 54 goals and 81 assists. He won the scoring title as well as the MVP award, awarded to the most valuable player for his team. All together Sidney won 6 awards at his first year in QMJHL.

2004-2005 Sidney won the MVP award again playing in the QMJHL, and this year he was preparing himself for the big league, the NHL which was having a lockout year due to players and owners not agreeing on terms.