French goalie Julian Junca gushes after receiving a special gift from Sidney Crosby

Team France's Olympic hockey tournament is officially over, following a 5-1 loss to Germany in today's Qualifying Round match.

The emerging hockey nation failed to get a win in the tournament, but they signaled to the world that France is an up and coming team that could be the on the come up in the years to come, similar to how Switzerland and Germany have emerged in recent years.

After his team was eliminated French goaltender Julian Junca took to social media to share that he received a special birthday gift from Team Canada's Sidney Crosby, following the two teams' match on Sunday. In his native French, Junca shared that once Crosby found out that Sunday was Junca's birthday he gifted him a signed Crosby game-stick after the game.

In Junca's own words, he had his three birthday wishes come true:

1. To play for France in the Olympic Games
2. To play against Canada, the world's best
3. To receive a gift from Sidney Crosby, his hockey hero

How's that for a birthday!?

Just more proof that Sid the Kid is as classy as they come in this sport.

As for Junca, the 28 year old netminder will now return to Trencin Dukla of the Slovak professional league for the rest of the 2025-26 season. After a season split between the AHL/ECHL in 2023-24, it seems like Junca is destined for a career overseas unless his play during these Olympics piqued some interest back in North America.