Sidney Crosby is taking off his hockey gear for a magazine spread. The budding hockey star is striking a shirtless pose for the November issue of GQ Magazine.

The men's fashion magazine features the 18-year-old hockey phenom in a cover photo and story entitled "The Crosby Show."

In his hometown of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia reaction is mixed. One young man tells ATV News that Crosby is "popular enough, he doesn't need to be taking off his shirt." However, young women in Crosby's hometown simply say he looks "hot, really, really hot."

However, it is not the first time the Pittsburgh Penguin rookie has been in the international media spotlight.

This summer Crosby has made a guest appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and has appeared in the October issue of Vanity Fair magazine.

The attention is a big change for Crosby who started playing hockey in Cole Harbour. His former coach says seeing his former player in an international magazine is not a big surprise.

"His skills on the ice, they show themselves. And when he's in the media he portrays himself in such a great way, it would only be a matter of time before GQ says here's the next eligible bachelor" says Paul Mason.

Crosby's childhood street hockey buddies are a little shocked by the magazine. Matt Williams says seeing the photos is a little awkward for him. He says, "[I] wouldn't expect to see him like that."

Robert Craig claims to have always been a Sidney Crosby fan because he plays hockey too. Despite strapping on the skates as well, Craig says he is envious.

"I wish I looked like that."

Crosby's GQ issue has been on newsstands for approximately one week. The article and photo spread may not turn around the Penguins current losing streak, but it is keeping the team in the spotlight. Plus, it may make open hockey to a new group of fans.

"I'm sure it will be clipped out and put on the walls of a lot of teenage girls [rooms]," Mason said.