Eight days after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick, the San Jose Sharks have officially signed 18-year-old Macklin Celebrini to his entry-level contract. The talented center, who has quickly become one of the most talked-about young players in hockey, chose to forego a sophomore season at Boston University to make the leap to the NHL.
Celebrini's decision to join the Sharks comes on the heels of an impressive season at Boston University, where he showcased his scoring ability and strong hockey sense. In his lone college season, he netted 32 goals and amassed 64 points in just 38 games. His performance not only led the Terriers in both goals and points but also played a pivotal role in propelling the team to the national semifinal game, where they narrowly lost in overtime to Denver. Celebrini's stellar season earned him the Hobey Baker Award, solidifying his status as the nation's top men's hockey player.
The Sharks were able to secure Celebrini after winning the NHL Draft Lottery, which was the result of ending the season with the league's worst record. Although the team has missed the playoffs for the last five seasons, there is a renewed sense of optimism with Celebrini's addition. Sharks general manager Mike Grier expressed his excitement about the young star, stating, "Macklin is not only a special player on the ice, but he is a poised, confident, and intelligent young man off it. His combination of skills and hockey sense is rare, and we are extremely confident that he is ready to make this transition to being a full-time NHL player. We could not be more excited to have Macklin locked in formally to join the Sharks organization for the 2024-25 season."
Celebrini's hockey journey has deep roots in the San Jose area. After his family relocated from North Vancouver, he spent a season playing for the San Jose Jr. Sharks. This move came after his father, Rick Celebrini, took a job with the Golden State Warriors, thus anchoring the family in the Bay Area.
The Sharks organization has been actively rebuilding and enhancing their draft capital under the supervision of GM Mike Grier, who was hired in 2022. This strategy has paid off, resulting in a pair of first-round picks in the last two drafts and two more upcoming. The recent drafts have seen the Sharks select other promising talents, including Will Smith, Quentin Musty, and Sam Dickinson.
Will Smith, another standout from the Sharks' recent drafts, signed an entry-level contract following an impressive freshman season at Boston College, where he recorded 25 goals and 71 points. Alongside Smith, the Sharks' roster is dotted with young, homegrown talent such as William Eklund, Thomas Bordeleau, and Mario Ferraro. To complement this young core, the Sharks have added experienced players like Barclay Goodrow, Tyler Toffoli, Jake Walman, and Alexander Wennberg.
As Celebrini transitions to the NHL, the Sharks are hoping his arrival will mark the beginning of a new era for the franchise. His undeniable talent and hockey intelligence are expected to make an immediate impact, providing a much-needed boost to a team hungry for playoff success. The blend of budding stars and seasoned veterans on the roster positions the Sharks to potentially turn their fortunes around in the coming seasons.
With his formal entry into the Sharks organization, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Celebrini adapts to the rigors of the NHL. His track record so far suggests that he is more than capable of rising to the challenge, and his addition is a significant step forward for a franchise aiming to reestablish itself as a powerhouse in the league. The Sharks and their supporters can look forward to a new chapter, one full of promise and potential, as Macklin Celebrini takes his place on the ice.