Eight days after selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick, the San Jose Sharks have officially signed 18-year-old Macklin Celebrini to an entry-level contract. The announcement, made on Saturday, comes as no surprise given the impressive caliber of Celebrini’s play and his rapid ascent in the hockey world.
Choosing the NHL
Faced with the choice of returning for a sophomore season at Boston University or stepping up to the NHL, Celebrini opted for the latter. The young center, known for his scoring prowess and keen hockey sense, showed enough in his first and only collegiate season to convince Sharks management that he was ready for the big leagues.
In his time at Boston University, Celebrini scored an impressive 32 goals and tallied 64 points across 38 games—leading the Terriers in both categories. His efforts helped propel the team to the national semifinal game, where they fell in overtime to Denver. Celebrini’s standout performances also earned him the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, recognizing him as the nation's top men's player.
Sharks’ Strategic Moves
The Sharks managed to secure Celebrini after winning the NHL Draft Lottery, a stroke of fortune that followed the league's worst record. The team has struggled in recent years, missing the playoffs for the last five seasons. However, under the guidance of General Manager Mike Grier, hired in 2022, the franchise has been proactive in reshaping its future.
To bolster their draft capital, the Sharks actively pursued trades, securing a pair of first-round picks in the last two drafts and another two in the upcoming draft. Alongside Celebrini, recent drafts have seen the selections of Will Smith, Quentin Musty, and Sam Dickinson. Smith, like Celebrini, was signed to an entry-level contract after an impressive freshman season at Boston College, where he recorded 25 goals and 71 points.
Building a Competitive Roster
In addition to signing top draft picks, the Sharks have focused on developing homegrown talent and bringing in experienced players. The current roster includes players like William Eklund, Thomas Bordeleau, and Mario Ferraro, all of whom have grown through the Sharks’ system. Additionally, the team has bolstered its lineup with seasoned veterans such as Barclay Goodrow, Tyler Toffoli, Jake Walman, and Alexander Wennberg.
The Celebrini family’s ties to the Bay Area run deeper than just hockey. Macklin's season with the San Jose Jr. Sharks followed a family move from North Vancouver after his father, Rick Celebrini, took a job with the Golden State Warriors. This transition not only provided Macklin with new opportunities but also rooted his family in the local community.
A Promising Future
Reflecting on the signing, Sharks General Manager Mike Grier expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Macklin is not only a special player on the ice, but he is a poised, confident and intelligent young man off it. His combination of skills and hockey sense is rare, and we are extremely confident that he is ready to make this transition to being a full-time NHL player. We could not be more excited to have Macklin locked in formally to join the Sharks organization for the 2024-25 season."
As the Sharks look towards the future, Celebrini’s signing represents a significant step in the team’s ongoing efforts to rebuild and return to playoff contention. With a mix of promising young talent and experienced veterans, the team hopes to lay the groundwork for sustained success.