The San Jose Sharks have made it official, selecting Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick of the 2024 NHL draft. An exceptionally gifted two-way center, the 18-year-old instantly becomes the face of the franchise, with his selection re-energizing a weary fanbase desperate for hope.
Celebrini’s selection is arguably the most anticipated event in the club’s recent history. His acquisition also puts the Sharks back on the map after some atrocious seasons, where both attendance and on-ice performance were abysmal; fan interest skyrocketed following the lottery result, with a record crowd at the draft lottery and a large uptick in season ticket sales for the 2024-25 season.
Celebrini capped off a record-breaking season with a Hobey Baker award, a just reward for his 64 points in 38 games with Boston University. He garnered widespread plaudits for the way he blended a breathtaking offensive game with standout defensive acumen and high compete levels, with the youngster’s two-way commitment consistently shining through on the ice.
His elite awareness at both ends of the rink has generated stylistic comparisons to both Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews. Most scouts rank him as one of the best first rounders in recent years, on par with Jack Hughes and just a shade behind Connor Bedard. A gifted passer and playmaker with a hard shot, soft hands, and a smooth skating stride, Celebrini projects as a top-line, franchise center capable of both shutdown defensive play and high-end offensive output.
Though speculation has abounded around whether Celebrini could return to school, the center has expressed openness to jumping straight to the NHL, and virtually every talent evaluator believes him to be professionally and physically ready. General Manager Mike Grier has made no secret of the fact that he believes Celebrini can play with the Sharks right away, an opinion also shared by Boston University’s head coach Jay Pandolfo.
Celebrini also spent the 2019-20 season playing for the Junior Sharks, thanks to his father Rick’s role as Head of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Golden State Warriors. This rare local tie is also likely to make him just the second Junior Shark to ever play for the NHL team, following Matt Tennyson’s lead.
Given that the Sharks already had Will Smith, who recently signed an entry-level deal with the team, Celebrini’s selection might now give San Jose the best imaginable one-two punch down the middle for years to come. With Quentin Musty and William Eklund on his wings, the team is in very good shape up front for the foreseeable future.
After a year like the one that just passed, that would come as welcome news for every Sharks fan.
