Eight days after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft, the San Jose Sharks have officially signed 18-year-old center Macklin Celebrini to his entry-level contract. With this decision, Celebrini opts to forgo his sophomore season at Boston University, stepping up to take on the challenging terrain of professional hockey.
Renowned for his scoring ability and his sharp hockey sense, Celebrini made an indelible mark at Boston University. In a single season with the Terriers, he netted 32 goals and racked up 64 points across 38 games, leading his team in both categories. His stellar performance paved the way for the team to advance to the national semifinal game, where they faced a heartbreaking overtime loss to Denver. Celebrini's impressive season earned him the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, recognizing him as the top men's player in collegiate hockey.
Sharks general manager Mike Grier did not hold back his enthusiasm for Celebrini, 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."
A Promising Addition to the Celtics
The Sharks' opportunity to land Celebrini came after they secured the top pick in the NHL Draft Lottery, a silver lining following a dismal season that left them with the league's worst record. This move signifies a pivotal moment for a franchise that has struggled in recent years, missing the playoffs for the past five seasons. Grier, who took over as GM in 2022, has been proactive in reshaping the team's future, executing trades to accrue valuable draft capital. This strategy has yielded two first-round picks in each of the last two drafts, as well as two more in the upcoming draft.
In addition to Celebrini, the Sharks have stocked their prospect pool with talented young players such as Will Smith, Quentin Musty, and Sam Dickinson. Smith, another college standout, left Boston College after his freshman year, during which he notched 25 goals and 71 points, and subsequently signed an entry-level contract with San Jose.
Building the Roster
The Sharks’ developmental efforts extend beyond their recent draft successes. Homegrown talents like William Eklund, Thomas Bordeleau, and Mario Ferraro are already making their mark on the roster. To complement their youthful core, the team has also added seasoned veterans such as Barclay Goodrow, Tyler Toffoli, Jake Walman, and Alexander Wennberg. This blend of burgeoning potential and established experience aims to raise the team’s competitive edge substantially.
A Personal Connection to the Bay Area
For Celebrini, the move to the Sharks represents a sort of homecoming. After his family relocated from North Vancouver, he played a season with the San Jose Jr. Sharks. His father, Rick Celebrini, took a job with the Golden State Warriors, anchoring the family in the Bay Area. This personal tie only enhances the young star’s commitment to his new team.
With Celebrini's official entry into the NHL, the San Jose Sharks are hoping to turn a corner. His impressive statistics and accolades from college signal that he is ready to make an immediate impact. The organization, and its fans, eagerly anticipate what the future holds for this exceptionally gifted player. The journey of Macklin Celebrini with the Sharks has just begun, promising a thrilling new chapter for both the player and the franchise.