Sharks take Macklin Celebrini No. 1 in NHL draft

LAS VEGAS — Macklin Celebrini was a lock to be San Jose‘s No. 1 total choose in the NHL entry draft on Friday. But after months of Celebrini anticipating the second, truly listening to his identify referred to as was a reduction.

“Once it’s [actually] official, it’s a pretty amazing feeling,” Celebrini stated. “It’s been a dream of mine ever since I was a little kid. I’m just so excited to join the organization.”

The 18-year-old middle projected to be the draft’s No. 1 choice following a celebrated freshman season at Boston University. Celebrini turned, at simply 17 years previous, the youngest winner of the Hobey Baker Award because the NCAA’s prime skater. He produced 32 targets and 64 factors in 38 video games for the Terriers.

Celebrini — clocking in at 6-foot and simply shy of 200 kilos — was second in school scoring, failing to notch no less than one level in solely six video games.

Just 4 different freshman — Paul Kariya, Jack Eichel and Adam Fantilli — had ever received a Hobey Baker Award. That identical season, Celebrini was the Hockey East Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year 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 May.

“It’s been a long process ever since last summer,” Celebrini stated of navigating life because the possible prime choose. “And there’s been a lot going on. But I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve really enjoyed spending time with my friends and family going through this with them. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

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. An skill to dial in defensively and battle for pucks has set Celebrini aside and made him a coveted addition who is able to be a part of NHL ranks instantly.

Prior to becoming a member of the faculty ranks, Celebrini spent the 2022-23 season with the USHL’s Chicago Steel, main them to an Eastern Conference finals berth with 46 targets 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 alternative 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 amazing,” Celebrini stated of Thornton being there. “He’s a legend of the game and a Sharks legend. He’s just an amazing player and person. It was pretty special 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 tasks to be on the forefront of San Jose’s ongoing rebuild. The Sharks had a brutal season in 2023-24, ending final total with a 19-54-9 document that led to teach David Quinn being fired (and changed by Ryan Warsofsky).

Leading 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 can 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. But suffice it to say, Celebrini is wanting ahead to being a part of San Jose’s future.

“It’s an exciting opportunity because you get to build a group,” Celebrini stated. (*1*)

The latest 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 turned 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 manner, 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 thinking it is going to be reality [when I was] watching my favorite players play every night, dreaming and hoping that one day [it would be me].”

At No. 2 total, 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 prime rookie, successful the Calder Memorial Trophy on Thursday, made the choice for the franchise.

At No. 3, the Anaheim Ducks chosen Beckett Sennecke, 18, a proper wing who performed in the Ontario Hockey League final season.

The Columbus Blue Jackets, at No. 4 — a spot that seemed 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 Club making its first-ever alternative, 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 Top 10, choosing Russian defenseman Anton Silayev.

The Sharks additionally chosen at No. 11 in the primary spherical, drafting defenseman Sam Dickinson, who performed in the OHL final season, scoring 18 targets.