Meet Mack

Despite only being 18 years old, Macklin Celebrini shines on the ice with skill and hockey IQ well beyond his age. He is near the top of several NHL statistical categories, but that is only part of what makes Macklin a rising star in not only the Bay Area, but across all of sports.

Originally from Vancouver, Macklin comes from an extremely athletic family. His father, Rick, played professional soccer for the Vancouver 86ers and now is now VP, Player Health and Performance for the Golden State Warriors. His older brother was selected in the 2023 NHL Draft and his younger brother is on the same trajectory.

With Rick’s position with the Warriors bringing the family to the Bay Area, Macklin played for the Jr Sharks U14 AAA team and had 94 points in only 54 games. After a successful stint in the USHL where he earned USHL Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Forward of the Year honors, Macklin went on to play NCAA hockey at Boston University. In his one and only year at BU, he scored 64 points in 38 games, leading the team in the NCAA Frozen Four and becoming the youngest player in history to win the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in college hockey.

Having the Sharks select Macklin #1 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, he was able to return to the Bay Area. In his first game as a Sharks, on October 10, 2024, against the St. Louis Blues, he scored his first NHL goal just 7:01 into the game—the second-fastest goal by a No. 1 pick in their debut, behind Mario Lemieux’s record in 1984.

While making an instant impact on the ice, he quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his energizing personality. Just look to his antics with fellow rookie and best friend Will Smith. In December, the pair created their first TikTok together, recreating a Lebron James video playing basketball in the driveway. Celebrini also routinely makes walking into the rink must see TV, whether he's playing it up for the broadcast camera in the hallway or is kicking a beach ball while wearing a straw hat, he's making the most of his rookie season. He’s made playing Rock, Paper, Scissors with kids for a puck during warmups a routine, endearing himself with Sharks Territory. Both on and off the ice, Macklin is one of the main reasons why the future is Teal. And Fun!