LAS VEGAS – Maclin Celebrini was close to becoming San Jose’s No. 1 pick in the NHL Entry Draft on Friday. But after Celebrini had anticipated this moment for months, she was relieved to actually hear her name called.
“Once it (really) becomes official, it’s a pretty amazing feeling,” Celebrini said. “This has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. I’m very excited to join the organization.”
The 18-year-old center was projected to be the No. 1 pick of the draft after a distinguished freshman season at Boston University. Celebrini became the youngest winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top skater at just 17 years old. He scored 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games for the Terriers.
Celebrini – standing 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds – was second overall in college scoring, failing to score at least one point in only six games.
Only four other freshmen – Paul Cariya, Jack Eichel and Adam Fantilli – had ever won the Hobey Baker Award. That same season, Celebrini was Hockey East Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and scoring champion.
That resume put him at the top of draft boards and firmly on San Jose’s radar when he won the NHL draft lottery in May.
“It’s been a long process since last summer,” Celebrini said of transitioning to life as a potential top pick. “And there’s a lot going on. But I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve really enjoyed spending time with my friends and family. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Celebrini is a quintessential two-way skater with excellent speed and a lethal shot, which has made him a major threat at every level of his career to date. The ability to dial in defensive details and battle for the puck has set Celebrini apart and made him a coveted prospect who is ready to join the NHL ranks immediately.
Before joining the college ranks, Celebrini spent the 2022–23 season with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, where he led the Steel to the Eastern Conference Finals with 46 goals and 86 points in 50 games.
San Jose would have been hard-pressed to find a more complete skater for the franchise’s first No. 1 selection.
In an unexpected draft-day twist, the Sharks also made former center Joe Thornton their celebratory choice on the Sphere stage. For Celebrini it was just another memory to add to her already full scrapbook of that week.
“Oh, it was amazing,” Celebrini said of Thornton being there. “He’s a legend of the game and a Sharks legend. He’s an amazing player and person. It was very special to have him there.”
It was almost like Thornton — who played for San Jose from 2005-2020 and retired after the 2021-22 season — was passing the torch to Celebrini as he plans to remain at the forefront of San Jose’s ongoing rebuild. Were. The Sharks had a very poor season in 2023–24, finishing last overall with a 19–54–9 record, leading to coach David Quinn being fired (and later replaced by Ryan Warsofsky).
Leading scorer Tomas Hertl was traded to Las Vegas last March, a clear indication of how deep San Jose really is in the rebuilding phase.
Celebrini will be a big part of that process – and fans will have something new to look forward to as it progresses. He declined to say if there was a deadline to decide between a sophomore season at BU or immediately joining the Sharks this season. But suffice to say, Celebrini is eager to be a part of San Jose’s future.
“It’s an exciting opportunity because you get a chance to build a group,” Celebrini said. “They have a young core that is very special. And I think they’re headed in the right direction and they’re building the right way. I’m very excited to join the organization. I’m looking forward to seeing it.” Can’t wait to see where we are.”
The newest Shark already has ties to the Bay Area – and San Jose’s organization – something that should make for a seamless transition. His father, Rick, moved his family to California in 2018 when he became the Golden State Warriors’ vice president of health and performance. This allowed Celebrini to play a season with the Junior Sharks program, and his family still owns a home where the Sharks are located.
In a way it felt like it was all meant to happen. And Celebrini is now preparing for the exciting next chapter of her career.
“Ever since I was a kid, watching (the Vancouver Canucks) on TV, (it’s) just been my dream,” he said. “And thinking that this was 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 overall, the Chicago Blackhawks selected 18-year-old Artem Levshunov, a defenseman who played for the Michigan State Spartans last season. Blackhawks star Connor Bedard, who was selected as the league’s top rookie in winning the Calder Memorial Trophy on Thursday, has opted out of the franchise.
At No. 3, the Anaheim Ducks selected 18-year-old Beckett Senecay, a right wing who played in the Ontario Hockey League last season.
The Sharks also selected defenseman Sam Dickinson, No. 11 overall, in the first round, who played in the Ontario Hockey League last season and scored 18 goals.
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