Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks has been making waves with his exceptional performance this season, achieving milestones at just 19 years old that only a few of the greatest players have reached at a similar age in NHL history. Celebrini’s latest standout moment occurred on Tuesday night when he sealed a 3-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth with an overtime goal, completing his third career hat trick.
With these three goals, the North Vancouver native has accumulated 30 points in the Sharks’ initial 20 games of the season, a feat matched only by Wayne Gretzky in 1980-81 and Sidney Crosby in 2006-07 among teenage players in NHL history. Mario Lemieux also achieved this in his first 20 games in 1984-85, although he missed seven games during that span.
While Celebrini downplays comparisons to these legends, his teammates acknowledge the impact he has had on the team since being selected first overall in the 2024 draft. His exceptional performance last season, with 25 goals and 38 assists as an 18-year-old rookie, has been surpassed this season with 13 goals and 17 assists.
Vincent Desharnais, who has played alongside Connor McDavid and Crosby, describes Celebrini as “special” both on and off the ice. Celebrini’s dedication to improvement is evident to his teammates, inspiring them with his work ethic and humility.
As part of a young core of promising players, Celebrini and linemate Will Smith, the fourth overall pick in 2023, are seen as crucial elements in the Sharks’ rebuilding process. Coach Ryan Warsofsky believes there is untapped potential in their partnership, emphasizing the importance of developing winning habits for sustained success.
Warsofsky praises Celebrini’s “hockey sense,” highlighting it as a distinguishing factor that sets him apart from other young talents. Despite his age, Celebrini has become a leader within the team, recently being appointed alternate captain and being groomed for the captaincy.
The Sharks have shown improved resilience this season, exemplified by their ability to bounce back from setbacks like surrendering a two-goal lead in the third period against Utah. Celebrini views these moments as indicators of the team’s progress and growth towards their goals.