San Jose’s New Hope: Macklin Celebrini Shines During Development Camp
The San Jose Sharks welcomed an exciting new era during their recent development camp, which took place on a Tuesday morning. All eyes were on Macklin Celebrini, the Sharks' first-ever No. 1 overall draft pick, who made his much-anticipated debut at Sharks Ice in San Jose. The 18-year-old phenom, who has already shown promise both on and off the ice, is in the process of deciding whether to play for the Sharks this upcoming season or return to Boston University for his sophomore year.
"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," Celebrini said, acknowledging the pivotal choice facing his burgeoning career.
A Dominant Freshman Year at Boston University
Celebrini’s talent was on full display during his freshman year at Boston University, where he notched an impressive 32 goals and 32 assists in just 38 games. His outstanding performance earned him the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, given to the top collegiate player in the United States. The Sharks, who finished last season with a 19-54-9 record, are undoubtedly looking to inject such prolific talent into their roster.
John McCarthy, head coach of the San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks' AHL affiliate, has been closely observing Celebrini. "Really good. He was super competitive on pucks. I thought that's what stood out to me the most," McCarthy commented, praising Celebrini's grit and determination.
A Family Affair
Celebrini's connection to elite sports runs in the family. His father, Rick Celebrini, holds the position of vice president of player health and performance for the Golden State Warriors, ensuring that Macklin receives top-tier guidance in managing his athletic career. Macklin moved to Northern California in 2018 and has since been ingrained in the local hockey scene, even playing with the Junior Sharks U-14 team in 2019.
The Sharks’ fanbase is already rallying behind their new star. "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 expressed, recognizing the strong support system backing him.
The Coach's Perspective
McCarthy isn't just impressed by Celebrini's skills on the ice but also by his off-ice demeanor. "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 elaborated, highlighting the character and professionalism that Celebrini brings to the organization.
While Celebrini weighs his options between the NHL and continuing his development in college, McCarthy provided an optimistic outlook for the team’s future. "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 added, reflecting the burgeoning optimism within the Sharks’ camp.
Looking to the Future
The Sharks' annual prospect scrimmage is set for Thursday, providing fans and coaches another chance to see Celebrini and his peers in action. McCarthy, although cautious, is clearly excited about the potential Celebrini has shown. "I think he's a really, really talented, really good hockey player. As far as the other stuff, that's kind of above me," he mentioned, carefully managing expectations as the team looks forward to the upcoming season.
The development camp, though only a small part of the preseason activities, has served as a promising start for Celebrini's professional journey. For a Sharks team eager to rebound from a disappointing season, the infusion of fresh talent and enthusiasm couldn't come at a better time.