Macklin Celebrini is set to realize his childhood dream, stepping onto the ice at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena as he makes his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks against the hometown Canucks on Monday night. Raised in North Vancouver, the 18-year-old forward, who was the first overall pick by the Sharks this past June, has quickly made his mark, boasting impressive statistics with 11 goals and 12 assists through his first 24 games.
Reflecting on his transition from young fan to player, Celebrini shared, “Sk skating here when I was younger, I kind of tried to put myself in an NHL player’s situation... and now I’m practicing here and getting ready for the game tomorrow. It’s pretty surreal.” The significance of this moment is not lost on Celebrini, who frequented Rogers Arena as a boy, often peering from the family room where his father, Dr. Rick Celebrini, worked with the Vancouver Canucks.
Dr. Celebrini has deep ties to the Canucks, having served as Director of Sports Science and Rehabilitation for the team before moving on to the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. He took leave from the Warriors to be present at his son's debut, emphasizing, “It certainly is a full-circle moment... it’s one of those times where you just kind of check yourself and appreciate everything that's happened.” Macklin also noted the excitement of having many family and friends, around 50 to 60 supporters, cheering him on from the stands.
Despite having started his NHL career on the right foot, scoring his first goal and registering his first assist during his debut against the St. Louis Blues earlier this season, Celebrini faced challenges along the way. He endured through injury setbacks, having missed 12 games due to a hip injury after his debut. Yet, since returning, he has been nothing short of sensational, scoring three goals and four assists in his last five contests.
An impressive rookie, Celebrini has quickly become one of the brightest prospects of the season, with Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky drawing comparisons to NHL star Sidney Crosby, noting similarities such as the ability as both centers to play well on both ends of the ice. “I’m not saying he’s going to be Sidney Crosby, but there are similarities,” Warsofsky said, describing Macklin as “a winner.”
The day leading up to his debut saw Celebrini practice at Rogers Arena, where childhood memories flooded back. He recounted, “I saw Sid [Crosby] one time in the hallway... those are the memories I hold close.” His encounter with stars of the game has shaped his aspiration to join their ranks one day.
While the Sharks' current season has had its ups and downs, with the team holding the last position in the Pacific Division, Celebrini remains optimistic. He acknowledged the struggles, stating, “We haven’t won too many... but we’ve been close enough where I think we should have won several games.” With the Sharks still finding their footing, Celebrini's continued development is viewed as pivotal for the team's future success.
Tonight’s matchup against the Canucks is particularly momentous for Celebrini, who recalls cheering for the team just last season. “They’ve got some pretty special players,” he expressed excitement at the prospect of facing off against players like Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, noting, “I’m excited to play against Quinn for sure. He’s one of the best defensemen, if not the best defenseman, in the League.”
Interestingly, Macklin’s older brother Aiden was drafted by the Canucks, adding yet another layer of family competition to the game. Refusing to take sides, Macklin humorously advised his brother, “He should just keep it neutral... he can’t wear a Canucks jersey either.”
The atmosphere at the arena is expected to be electric, as Celebrini confronts his childhood team and fans. He expressed immense pride at his roots: “This is my hometown. So, it means a lot.” Tonight, the local boy returns as the NHL player he always dreamed of becoming.
