Eight days after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft, 18-year-old Macklin Celebrini has officially signed his entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks. The highly anticipated announcement came on Saturday, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a promising career for the young center.
A Difficult Decision
Faced with the choice of returning for a sophomore season at Boston University or making the leap to the NHL, Celebrini opted for the latter. This decision underscores his readiness to embrace the challenges of professional hockey and his confidence in his abilities.
In his sole season at Boston University, Celebrini showcased his scoring prowess and hockey acumen, netting 32 goals and tallying 64 points over 38 games. His performance was instrumental in leading the Terriers to the national semifinal game, where they narrowly lost in overtime to Denver. Celebrini’s efforts did not go unnoticed, earning him the prestigious Hobey Baker Award as the nation's top men's player.
Building for the Future
The San Jose Sharks, who secured Celebrini after winning the NHL Draft Lottery, have been in a rebuilding phase following five consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance. Since hiring Mike Grier as General Manager in 2022, the team has been actively pursuing trades to enhance its draft capital. These efforts have resulted in multiple first-round picks over the last two drafts, allowing the Sharks to select top-tier talents like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Quentin Musty, and Sam Dickinson.
Celebrini is not the only promising talent to sign with the Sharks recently. Will Smith, another top pick, inked his entry-level contract after a stellar freshman season at Boston College, where he scored 25 goals and amassed 71 points.
A Blending of Youth and Experience
The Sharks' roster is a mixture of homegrown talent and experienced acquisitions. William Eklund, Thomas Bordeleau, and Mario Ferraro represent the team's commitment to developing young players, while veterans like Barclay Goodrow, Tyler Toffoli, Jake Walman, and Alexander Wennberg bring valuable experience to the lineup.
Celebrini’s journey to the Sharks has been a family affair. Following his family's move from North Vancouver to the Bay Area, he played a season for the San Jose Jr. Sharks. His father, Rick Celebrini, took a job with the Golden State Warriors, further cementing the family's ties to the region.
Comments from the Front Office
Sharks General Manager Mike Grier expressed his enthusiasm for Celebrini's signing, 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."