The Colorado Avalanche are Stanley Cup Champions for the first time since 2001. It marks the first Stanley Cup ring for Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon. And a fellow Canadian NHL superstar couldn't be more proud.

Pittsburgh Penguins legend Sidney Crosby commented on the 26-year-old's championship win on Sunday night, saying:

“I am really happy for Nate. I know how much it means to him and his family.”

The Avs won the Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 to capture the championship. The Lightning were seeking their third straight Stanley Cup.

“I have seen how hard he’s worked to achieve this and glad that he’s got rewarded and gets to experience everything that comes with winning. It’s special,” Crosby continued.

MacKinnon and Crosby are close friends. The 26-year-old told ESPN that he knew he'd win the Cup Sunday night after finding out his hotel room number was 1787, a nod to Crosby's jersey number.

Drafted first overall in 2013, the Avalanche assistant captain has remained with the organization his entire career. He recorded 88 points in just 65 regular-season games and was instrumental in the Avs postseason run.

Crosby is a three-time Stanley Cup champion. He won in 2009 against the Detroit Red Wings before winning back-to-back Cups in 2016 and 2017.

Like MacKinnon, Crosby has also remained with his organization his entire career. The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted him first overall in 2005.

MacKinnon has gained a reputation for being an excellent postseason performer. This postseason, he joined elite NHL postseason company with his performance. He scored 13 goals and 23 points en route to the Avs championship victory.