Macklin Celebrini realized his childhood dream on Monday night as he took to the ice for his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena, located just minutes from where he grew up. "Sk skating here when I was younger, I kind of tried to put myself in an NHL player’s situation or shoes, and pretend to be them. And now I’m practicing here and getting ready for the game tomorrow," said the 18-year-old center.
Growing up in North Vancouver, Celebrini has long held aspirations of playing at this very arena, sometimes even imagining himself scoring goals under the bright lights and loud cheers of thousands of fans. Now, after being selected first overall by the Sharks earlier this year, he finds himself preparing to face the Vancouver Canucks, the team he grew up admiring.
Celebrini, who has had quite the promising start to his career with 11 goals and 12 assists over his first 24 games, reflected on his experiences growing up close to the Canucks. His father, Rick Celebrini, worked with the team as part of their health sciences division, allowing young Macklin and his siblings frequent access to the arena. "We’d kind of go to the family room, and between periods or after the game, you’d try to peek your head out and see if you can see a guy or two," Macklin reminisced. "I saw Sid (Crosby) one time in the hallway, and me and my brother were kind of freaking out there."
The importance of this moment is not lost on Rick, now the director of sports medicine and performance for the Golden State Warriors. Describing it as "a full-circle moment," he shared, "I spent almost 50 years here in Vancouver, and the kids were all born and raised here. So to see Macklin practicing and playing here is special. It’s one of those times you kind of check yourself and appreciate everything that's happened." This return to his roots is made all the more special as Macklin is accompanied by 50 to 60 family members and friends cheering for him as he hits the ice against his former childhood team.
Despite the excitement of his debut, the Sharks have not had the best season so far, sitting last in the Pacific Division. Celebrini acknowledged this, stating, "There’s some ups and downs, mistakes, learning curves. But overall, I feel good. It kind of sucks right now. We haven’t won too many in the last couple games, but we’ve been close enough where I think we should have won those games." This perspective shows the maturity of the young player as he adapts not only to the NHL's speed and style but also to the challenges of being part of a struggling team.
Notably, Macklin’s path to the NHL has been quite extraordinary. Initially, after moving with his family to the Bay Area for his father's job, he adjusted to life away from Vancouver. "I was sad. I didn’t want to leave. It’s my hometown and I was here my whole life, so making the move wasn’t easy," he reflected. He bounced around youth hockey teams before finding prominence with the San Jose Jr. Sharks and then at Shattuck-St. Mary's, gaining recognition for his impressive skills. His path culminated when he attended Boston University, where he became the youngest-ever winner of the Hobey Baker Award.
The transition was no small feat, but the support of his family has clearly played a pivotal role, including the presence of his siblings Aiden, R.J., and sister Charlie, who are also making their way up the hockey ladder.
Looking forward to Monday's game, Celebrini feels the emotional weight of representing his hometown on such a grand stage. It is clear from his remarks, "It’s my hometown, so it means a lot," emphasizing the bond he shares not just with his family but with Vancouver as well. This game is not only about proving himself as an NHL player but also about cherishing the memories of his youth spent dreaming about moments just like this.
Macklin Celebrini's story, from skating as a boy at Rogers Arena to making his NHL debut just steps away from where it all began, is one of perseverance, hard work, and the deep connections to family and home. With the support of his parents and community, he aspires to make not only headlines but also lasting memories as he embarks on his professional hockey career.
