Eight days after selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick, the San Jose Sharks officially inked 18-year-old Macklin Celebrini to his entry-level contract on Saturday. This signing marks a significant milestone for the Sharks, who have been in a rebuilding phase and are looking to usher in a new era of success.
Celebrini had a pivotal choice to make: return for a sophomore season at Boston University or step up to the NHL. The young center, known for his scoring prowess and keen hockey sense, chose the latter, signaling his readiness to take on the challenges of the professional league.
A Stellar College Career
Throughout his lone season at Boston University, Celebrini dominated the ice, scoring 32 goals and amassing 64 points across 38 games. His incredible efforts led the Terriers in both goals and points, ultimately propelling the team to the national semifinal game. Despite their valiant efforts, the Terriers fell in overtime to Denver.
Celebrini's outstanding performance did not go unrecognized; he earned the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top men's player. Such accolades have only heightened the anticipation surrounding his NHL debut.
The Sharks' Strategic Moves
The Sharks secured Celebrini after winning the NHL Draft Lottery, which came as a silver lining following the league’s worst record last season. This positioning has been a deliberate strategy under the management of Mike Grier, who was appointed as GM in 2022.
To bolster their future prospects, the Sharks have actively pursued trades to enhance their draft capital. This approach has resulted in a pair of first-round picks in the past two drafts and two more first-round picks in the upcoming draft. Recent drafts have seen the selection of other promising talents, including Will Smith, Quentin Musty, and Sam Dickinson.
Speaking of Smith, he too signed an entry-level contract with the Sharks after a stellar freshman season at Boston College, where he posted an impressive 25 goals and 71 points.
A Blended Roster
The Sharks are blending budding talents with a cadre of experienced players. The current roster includes homegrown players like William Eklund, Thomas Bordeleau, and Mario Ferraro. Additionally, the team has been strengthened by seasoned NHL players such as Barclay Goodrow, Tyler Toffoli, Jake Walman, and Alexander Wennberg.
Celebrini's connection to the Bay Area runs deeper than his recent signing. His family moved from North Vancouver to the San Jose area after his father, Rick Celebrini, took a job with the Golden State Warriors. Macklin Celebrini even played a season for the San Jose Jr. Sharks, adding a personal touch to his professional journey with the team.
Celebrini is not just a talent on the ice. Sharks general manager Mike Grier lauded his character, 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.”
The San Jose Sharks have missed the playoffs for the past five seasons, an anomaly for a franchise that had frequently contended in the postseason. With the addition of Celebrini and a strategy focused on developing both young and seasoned talent, the organization hopes to turn the tide and rebuild towards future success.