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Macklin Celebrini might stand alone within the San Jose Sharks organization in his reluctance to dwell on his outstanding season, a season that sees the 19-year-old achieving milestones matched only by a select few legendary players at his age.
Celebrini showcased another memorable display on Tuesday evening, securing his third career hat trick with an overtime goal. This decisive goal led the Sharks to a 3-2 triumph over the visiting Utah Mammoth and positioned Celebrini alongside some of the sport’s all-time greats.
These three goals elevated the North Vancouver, B.C., player to 30 points within his team’s initial 20 games of the season. Historically, only Wayne Gretzky in 1980-81 and Sidney Crosby in 2006-07 have accomplished this feat as teenagers in NHL history. Mario Lemieux also achieved this in his first 20 games in 1984-85, although he was sidelined for seven games during that period.
“It’s nice, but I’m only finding out about it now,” Celebrini commented, quickly downplaying any comparisons to such iconic figures. “I’m not too interested in hearing about that. It’s not really the main focus.”
In contrast, Celebrini’s teammates freely express their admiration for the impact he’s had on the franchise since being the top pick in the 2024 draft. After scoring 25 goals and providing 38 assists as an 18-year-old rookie, Celebrini has elevated his performance this season with 13 goals and 17 assists to date.
“He’s exceptional. Truly,” remarked defenceman Vincent Desharnais, who has shared the ice with both Connor McDavid and Crosby throughout his career. “I believe everyone here recognizes his exceptional talent, both as a player and as an individual. He’s not arrogant or boastful about being the best.
“He’s consistently striving for self-improvement. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him among the first on the ice at the next practice, working on a new skill. It’s inspiring to witness, and it motivates everyone else.”
Celebrini offers a beacon of hope for the Sharks, a franchise that has endured the NHL’s worst record in each of the past two seasons and hasn’t participated in the playoffs since 2018-19.
Celebrini and Smith as Foundational Elements for the Sharks
He is an integral part of a promising young group of players, with additional talent expected to emerge, poised to form the core of a future contender.
Currently, Celebrini and his linemate Will Smith, the No. 4 overall pick in 2023, are the cornerstones of this rebuilding process. Smith, aged 20, has accumulated seven goals and 11 assists, the latest of which was a precise cross-ice pass that set up Celebrini’s opening goal of the game within the first two minutes.
“Their chemistry is evident,” noted head coach Ryan Warsofsky. “They have the ability to create opportunities. I still believe they both possess untapped potential within their respective games, extending beyond mere points, goals, and assists. To achieve consistent victories and truly establish a strong foundation, we need a collective understanding of our playing style, the cultivation of winning habits, and their practical implementation.”
Warsofsky emphasized that Celebrini’s “hockey sense” distinguishes him from other emerging stars. He frequently observes a deficiency in this area among players who prioritize skill development at the expense of strategic understanding.
This acumen has enabled Celebrini to assume a leadership role on the team despite his young age, earning him the position of alternate captain this season and positioning him as a future candidate for the captaincy.
His contributions have been instrumental in the Sharks’ turnaround from a season-opening six-game losing streak to securing nine wins in their subsequent 14 games. This puts them within reach of a playoff berth after a combined total of only 39 wins over the previous two seasons.
San Jose has demonstrated enhanced resilience this season, as evidenced by their overtime response after relinquishing a two-goal lead in the third period against Utah.
“Entering this year, we all share a collective ambition to elevate our performance as a team,” Celebrini stated. “Last year, this might have been a game we would have lost. This outcome underscores the progress we’re making.”
