There But For the Grace of God

This is a story of two Canadian boys.

Hockey players.

Both are centers, both are captains of their respective NHL teams.

Both highly touted from a young age, though one considerably more than the other.

Both played at Shattuck-St. Mary's in their youth, one year apart.

One played in Canadian juniors, the other played in the NCAA.

One received the attention and idolatry befitting the next great one to assume the mantle of the greatest among the game, the other not so much.

One has two more years in the NHL than the other.

One is mentioned with friends with names like Hart, Ross, Pearson and Messier.

The other hangs out with a buddy named Smythe.

Both have earned the right to wear Olympic gold around their neck.

One was the youngest full-time captain to win the Stanley Cup.

The other was the 2nd youngest full-time captain to win the Stanley Cup.

The other was the named Best Forward in the Olympics.

The other is the youngest person to gain entry into the Triple Gold Club (World Junior, Olympics, Stanley Cup). One won't be invited into that club.

One is the face of the NHL. The other can't even get a decent likeness of himself on a billboard in his NHL hometown.

Can you tell which is which?

NiNY