Sharks win draft lottery, will have No. 1 pick

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks had the ping-pong balls bounce their way on Tuesday during the NHL draft lottery in Secaucus, N.J.

In a potentially franchise-altering moment, the Sharks won the draft lottery and will have the first overall selection in the NHL draft for the first time in franchise history. The draft will take place June 28-29 at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

The Sharks will use the No. 1 overall pick on Boston University center Macklin Celebrini, the former Jr. Sharks standout and NHL-ready forward widely considered the best player in this year’s draft.

“It’s a big moment for the organization and the fans here to be able to have the opportunity to draft someone like Macklin,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier told ESPN. “It was a tough year for us and to have this opportunity, we couldn’t be more excited.

“He’s a Terrier, too,” added Grier, a proud BU alum.

“Obviously, San Jose is an amazing organization,” Celebrini told ESPN. “It’s pretty cool.”

By finishing with the NHL’s worst record at 19-54-9, the Sharks had the greatest chance of winning at 25.5%, and could fall no further than third overall. San Jose had never won the draft lottery or selected first overall in its 33 years as a franchise.

The Sharks also had an 18.8% chance of having the second overall pick and a 55.7% chance of getting the third overall selection.

While Grier said last month that he and others in the organization were excited about having a top-three draft pick this year, Tuesday’s lottery result has to be met with unparalleled excitement — both in the team’s front office and among its fan base.

While the Sharks have greatly enhanced their prospect pool in recent years, Celebrini will be the crown jewel.

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