Celebrini Shines in His Debut at Sharks Development Camp
The San Jose Sharks' much-anticipated development camp kicked off with an electrifying start on Tuesday morning at Sharks Ice in San Jose. All eyes were on Macklin Celebrini, the franchise's first-ever No. 1 overall draft choice, who was making his debut.
The 18-year-old phenom is at a crossroads, deciding whether to lace up his skates for the Sharks this 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 candidly.
A Glimpse into Celebrini's Stellar Performance
To say the young forward impressed would be an understatement. John McCarthy, head coach of the San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks' AHL affiliate, noted, "Really good. He was super competitive on pucks. I thought that's what stood out to me the most."
McCarthy, who has had his eye on various talents, added, "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."
Celebrini's statistics speak volumes. As a freshman at Boston University, he scored an astonishing 32 goals and 32 assists in just 38 games. His outstanding performance earned him the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, distinguishing him as one of the best college hockey players in the nation.
A Promising Future in San Jose
With the Sharks coming off a dismal 19-54-9 season, all eyes are on their new star to help turn the tide. As Celebrini reflected on his journey through the draft, he noted, "It's been fun. It's been a long process throughout the draft and stuff, but now it's when the fun begins. You just get to skate, play hockey and just have fun with the guys."
His excitement about the future is palpable. "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," he said, echoing the sentiments of many young players eager to make their mark in the NHL.
And the feeling is mutual among the fans and the organization. Celebrini's arrival is seen as a catalyst for the Sharks' rebuilding process. He optimistically remarked, "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."
A Local Connection
Interestingly, the hockey prodigy has deep roots in Northern California. Celebrini moved to the area in 2018 and even played with the Junior Sharks U-14 team in 2019, further cementing his connection to the Bay Area. His father, Rick Celebrini, also has a local connection as the vice president of player health and performance for the Golden State Warriors.
With the Sharks’ annual prospect scrimmage set for Thursday, the buzz around Celebrini is only expected to grow. As the Sharks navigate their path forward, the young star’s decision regarding his immediate future—whether to stay or return to Boston University—will undoubtedly be a pivotal point for both the player and the franchise.
This week’s development camp has provided a tantalizing glimpse of what could be a bright future for the San Jose Sharks, driven by a young talent eager to make his mark in the world of professional hockey.