Sharks select Macklin Celebrini No. 1 overall in NHL draft as new era begins

LAS VEGAS — Macklin Celebrini never wanted to state the obvious, never wanted to come out and say he would be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NHL draft and that he would soon be a part of the San Jose Sharks organization.

“Trying not to get too ahead of ourselves for where I’m going to go,” Celebrini said earlier this week.

The destination is official now, as Celebrini, under the dazzling lights of the Sphere just off Las Vegas Boulevard, was drafted first overall by the Sharks on Friday, making him a cornerstone piece of the franchise’s new era.

Sharks icon Joe Thornton announced the pick for the Sharks.

There was little question the Sharks would select the 18-year-old Celebrini, this year’s Hobey Baker Award winner as college hockey’s top player, after they won the NHL draft lottery on May 7.

Celebrini, the youngest player in the NCAA this past season as a 17-year-old, had 64 points, including 32 goals, in 38 games as Boston University’s No. 1 center, making him the second-highest scoring freshman in Division I behind Sharks prospect Will Smith.

Celebrini, the second-oldest son of Dr. Rick Celebrini, the Warriors vice president of player health and performance, was equally adept at goal-scoring and distributing, all at a lightning-fast pace.

But what separates Celebrini from other prospects his age and caliber is his unwavering commitment to playing a two-way game. His relentless motor and compete helped drive Boston University as he led the Terriers to a spot in the NCAA’s Frozen Four and a 28-10-2 record.

“He’s already a complete hockey player,” Boston University coach Jay Pandolfo said Friday of Celebrini on Daily Faceoff. “Obviously, he’s going to improve in all sorts of areas because he’s so young. But I’ve never seen a kid that young have that good of details in all three zones and care that much about the details in all three zones.

“He’s obviously off-the-charts talent-wise offensively, but he values every part of the game, and that’s why he’s so good. He’s so driven, so passionate about the game, and he’s passionate about getting better, and that’s how he’s wired.”

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