Macklin Celebrini Shines in San Jose Sharks' Development Camp
Tuesday morning at Sharks Ice in San Jose marked a significant milestone for the franchise as Macklin Celebrini, the San Jose Sharks' first-ever No. 1 overall draft choice, made his debut. The 18-year-old forward, who is currently deciding whether to stay with the Sharks for the upcoming season or return to Boston University, brought a palpable energy to the camp.
Celebrini, who moved to Northern California in 2018 and played with the Junior Sharks U-14 team in 2019, is no stranger to the Bay Area. However, his first official appearance with the Sharks' development team was special. "It's nice to be wanted. It's been good. They were out there supporting today. From everything I've heard, they are some of the best fans in the league. I'm excited to start playing in front of them," Celebrini shared with a smile.
Impressive Freshman Year
As a freshman at Boston University, Celebrini showcased his talent by scoring 32 goals and 32 assists in 38 games, earning him the prestigious Hobey Baker Award. His remarkable performance at the collegiate level only heightened expectations for his professional career.
John McCarthy, the head coach of the San Jose Barracuda—the Sharks' AHL affiliate—spoke highly of Celebrini's debut performance. "Really good. He was super competitive on pucks. I thought that's what stood out to me the most," McCarthy stated, emphasizing the young player's tenacity on the ice.
Reflecting on the draft process, Celebrini expressed relief and excitement to focus purely on hockey. "It's been fun. It's been a long process throughout the draft and stuff, but now it's when the fun begins. You just get to skate, play hockey and just have fun with the guys," he said.
Decision Time
With the Sharks' annual prospect scrimmage set for Thursday, Celebrini faces a pivotal decision in his career. "It's coming up. I'll make the decision pretty quick here. Just trying to enjoy this camp, and after that I guess it's time to make a decision," he remarked. The choice between joining the Sharks for the season or returning to Boston University for his sophomore year is not just about his development as a player, but also about setting the foundation for a potentially illustrious professional career.
McCarthy, who has closely observed Celebrini's journey, believes in his potential. "I think he is a mature kid. I know a lot of people (at Boston University), and talking to them about him, as impressive as he is as a player and his skill level, they're equally as impressed as a person. The way that he carries himself, the way that he goes about his business, it's high end, which is why he went first overall," McCarthy explained.
Family Ties and Future Prospects
Interestingly, talent and dedication run in Celebrini's family. His father, Rick Celebrini, serves as the vice president of player health and performance for the Golden State Warriors. The younger Celebrini's move to Northern California in 2018 was partly influenced by this connection, allowing him to train and grow in a supportive environment.
Looking at the broader picture, the San Jose Sharks finished last season with a lackluster 19-54-9 record. There is a hopeful optimism within the organization that the infusion of young talent like Celebrini can spark a resurgence. "We're moving in the right direction. There's so many players getting ready to make their debut, especially with the signings that we've made. It's an exciting time," Celebrini commented on the team's future.
McCarthy echoed these sentiments, lauding Celebrini's abilities while acknowledging the team effort required to turn things around. "I think he's a really, really talented, really good hockey player. As far as the other stuff, that's kind of above me," McCarthy noted, pointing to the broader strategic decisions that will shape the team's path forward.
As anticipation builds toward Thursday's prospect scrimmage, all eyes will be on Macklin Celebrini. His decision in the coming days will undoubtedly be a significant step, not just for him but for the revitalization efforts of the San Jose Sharks.