Eight days after selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft, the San Jose Sharks have officially signed 18-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini to an entry-level contract. It marks the beginning of what both the player and the organization hope will be a long and fruitful professional career.
Celebrini's decision to jump to the NHL right away demonstrates his confidence and readiness for the next level. Faced with the option to return for a sophomore season at Boston University, the young center opted instead to join the Sharks, a team eager to end a five-year playoff drought.
A Season to Remember
In his lone season at Boston University, Celebrini showcased his exceptional talent and poise, leading the Terriers with 32 goals and 64 points in just 38 games. His efforts didn’t go unnoticed, as he guided the team to the national semifinal, where they narrowly lost in overtime to Denver.
Celebrini’s outstanding performance earned him the Hobey Baker Award, recognizing him as the nation’s top men’s player—a testament to his skill, hockey sense, and dedication to the sport.
High Hopes in San Jose
The Sharks secured Celebrini after winning the NHL Draft Lottery, a stroke of fortune that came on the heels of a season with the league’s worst record. This high-profile acquisition signals a new chapter for the Sharks, who have taken significant steps to rebuild and fortify their roster.
General Manager Mike Grier, who took over in 2022, expressed his enthusiasm for Celebrini. "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," Grier explained.
Building Through Drafts
The Sharks’ strategy of building through the draft has been evident in recent years, with the team actively pursuing trades to enhance their draft capital. This approach yielded a pair of first-round picks in the last two drafts and will provide two more first-round picks in the upcoming draft.
In addition to Celebrini, recent first-round picks include Will Smith, Quentin Musty, and Sam Dickinson. Smith, who was signed to an entry-level contract after his freshman season at Boston College, impressed with 25 goals and 71 points.
Focus on Youth and Experience
San Jose's current roster features a blend of homegrown talent, such as William Eklund, Thomas Bordeleau, and Mario Ferraro, and experienced players like Barclay Goodrow, Tyler Toffoli, Jake Walman, and Alexander Wennberg. This mix of youth and seasoned veterans aims to create a balanced, competitive team capable of climbing back into playoff contention.
Bay Area Ties
Interestingly, Celebrini has a personal connection to the Bay Area. Before his meteoric rise at Boston University, he played a season for the San Jose Jr. Sharks. His family had moved to the area from North Vancouver after his father, Rick Celebrini, took a job with the Golden State Warriors, rooting Macklin in the community he now represents at the professional level.
As Celebrini prepares to make his NHL debut, Sharks fans have every reason to be optimistic. The team’s focused effort to rebuild and incorporate young stars like Celebrini signals a promising future, with the hope of returning to playoff glory. The journey for both the player and the team begins now, united in their quest for success.