LAS VEGAS — Macklin Celebrini was a lock to be San Jose’s No. 1 general choose within the NHL entry draft Friday. However after months of Celebrini anticipating the second, really listening to his identify known as was a reduction.
“As soon as it is [actually] official, it is a fairly wonderful feeling,” Celebrini stated. “It has been a dream of mine ever since I used to be a bit child. I am simply so excited to hitch the group.”
The 18-year-old middle projected to be the draft’s No. 1 choice following a celebrated freshman season at Boston College. Celebrini grew to become, at simply 17 years outdated, the youngest winner of the Hobey Baker Award because the NCAA’s high skater. He produced 32 objectives and 64 factors in 38 video games for the Terriers.
Celebrini — clocking in at 6 ft and simply shy of 200 kilos — was second in faculty scoring, failing to notch at the least one level in solely six video games.
Simply 4 different freshman — Paul Kariya, Jack Eichel and Adam Fantilli — had ever received a Hobey Baker Award. That very same season, Celebrini was the Hockey East Participant of the 12 months, Rookie of the 12 months and scoring champion.
That résumé put him atop draft boards and firmly on San Jose’s radar when it received the NHL’s draft lottery in Could.
“It has been a protracted course of ever since final summer season,” Celebrini stated of navigating life because the possible high choose. “And there is been lots occurring. However I’ve loved it. I’ve actually loved spending time with my family and friends going by this with them. It was a once-in-a-lifetime alternative.”
Celebrini is a quintessential two-way skater, with glorious velocity and a deadly shot that is made him a dominant risk at each degree of his profession. A capability to dial in defensively and battle for pucks has set Celebrini aside and made him a coveted addition who is able to be part of NHL ranks instantly.
Previous to becoming a member of the school ranks, Celebrini spent the 2022-23 season with the USHL’s Chicago Metal, main them to an Jap Convention finals berth with 46 objectives and 86 factors in 50 video games.
San Jose would have been hard-pressed to discover a extra full skater to take with the franchise’s first No. 1 choice.
In an surprising draft-day twist, the Sharks even had former middle Joe Thornton making their Celebrini selection on stage on the Sphere. It was one other reminiscence for Celebrini so as to add to his already-overflowing scrapbook from the week.
“Oh, it was wonderful,” Celebrini stated of Thornton being there. “He is a legend of the sport and a Sharks legend. He is simply an incredible participant and particular person. It was fairly particular to have him up there.”
It was virtually like Thornton — who performed for San Jose from 2005 to 2020 and retired following the 2021-22 season — was passing the torch to Celebrini as he initiatives to be on the forefront of San Jose’s ongoing rebuild. The Sharks had a brutal season in 2023-24, ending final general with a 19-54-9 file that led to educate David Quinn being fired (and changed by Ryan Warsofsky).
Main scorer Tomas Hertl was traded to Las Vegas in March, as clear a sign as any of how deep into the rebuilding part San Jose really is.
Celebrini will likely be a big a part of that course of — and provides followers one thing to root for because it rolls alongside. He declined to say if there is a timeline on deciding between a sophomore season at BU or becoming a member of the Sharks instantly this season. However suffice it to say, Celebrini is trying ahead to being a part of San Jose’s future.
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“It is an thrilling alternative since you get to construct a bunch,” Celebrini stated. “They’ve a younger core that is very particular. And I really feel like they’re transferring in the best path they usually’re constructing the best approach. I am tremendous excited to hitch the group. I can not wait to see the place we go.”
The most recent Shark already has ties to the Bay space — and San Jose’s group — one thing that ought to make for a seamless transition. His father, Rick, moved their household to California in 2018 when he grew to become the Golden State Warriors vp of well being and efficiency. That allowed Celebrini to play a season with the junior Sharks program, and his household nonetheless has a house close by to the place the Sharks are located.
In a approach, all of it felt meant to be, as Celebrini prepares for the thrilling subsequent chapter of his profession.
“Ever since I used to be a child, watching [the Vancouver Canucks] on TV, [this] has simply been my dream,” he stated. “And pondering it will be actuality [when I was] watching my favourite gamers play each evening, dreaming and hoping that someday [it would be me].”
At No. 2 general, the Chicago Blackhawks chosen Artyom Levshunov, 18, a defenseman who performed for Michigan State final season. Blackhawks star Connor Bedard, who was chosen because the league’s high rookie, profitable the Calder Memorial Trophy on Thursday, introduced the choice for the franchise.
At No. 3, the Anaheim Geese chosen Beckett Sennecke, 18, a proper wing who performed within the Ontario Hockey League final season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, at No. 4 — a spot that gave the impression to be coveted by different groups main as much as the draft — chosen Cayden Lindstrom, a middle from the Western Hockey League.
At No. 5, the Montreal Canadiens chosen Ivan Demidov, a proper wing who performed final season for SKA St. Petersburg Jr. in Russia, a choose that was adopted by the Utah Hockey Membership making its first-ever selection, taking Tij Iginla, a WHL middle, at No. 6.
The Ottawa Senators had their first probability at No. 7, drafting one other WHL participant, defenseman Carter Yakemchuk, and the Seattle Kraken adopted up at No. 8, choosing Berkly Catton, a WHL middle.
The Calgary Flames broke up the WHL run at No. 9, drafting Zayne Parekh, a defenseman from the OHL, and the New Jersey Devils rounded out the highest 10, choosing Russian defenseman Anton Silayev.
The Sharks additionally chosen at No. 11 within the first spherical, drafting defenseman Sam Dickinson, who performed within the OHL final season, scoring 18 objectives.