Macklin Celebrini Picked No. 1 By Sharks in 2024 NHL Draft as Fans Hype Rising Star
Julia StumbaughJune 28, 2024
Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images
The San Jose Sharks’ rebuild got a major boost Friday night with the top pick of the 2024 NHL draft.
The Sharks selected Boston University standout Macklin Celebrini:
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceJUMBO JOE IN THE HOUSE 🔥
Joe Thornton made the pick that brings Macklin Celebrini to San Jose pic.twitter.com/imyvq5mgym
Hailey Salvian @hailey_salvianThe moment Macklin Celebrini is selected first overall from outside The Sphere pic.twitter.com/wiSSos3lsr
Brad Elliott Schlossman @SchlossmanGFBU forward Macklin Celebrini becomes the 5th college hockey player to go No. 1 overall in the NHL Draft, joining Owen Power (2021), Erik Johnson (2006), Rick DiPietro (2000) and Joe Murphy (1986).
Celebrini’s selection was expected since the Sharks finished the 2023-24 season with an NHL-low 19 wins.
The Sharks will enter a new era with Celebrini, who has been billed as a two-way prospect comparable to Sidney Crosby since his Hobey Baker-winning college debut season.
Ray Almeda @rayalmedaA new generation begins. Welcome to the @SanJoseSharks Macklin Celebrini. @SAPCenter is poppin! #LetsGoSharks pic.twitter.com/PORSKAPjJD
Vinnie Parise @VinniePariseMacklin Celebrini was brilliant at BU. I watched at least a little bit of every game he played this season.
He was well deserving of the Hobey Baker award as a freshman. Also, shoutout Chicago Steel!
The #SJSharks are getting a STAR!
Y – Matt 🇨🇦 @TammySZN_Macklin Celebrini 1st overall pick!! Deserved!! #NHLDraft
Daryl @DarylDancyMacklin Celebrini jersey in the cart
Ethan Cadeaux @Ethan_CadeauxLol at how Tankathon ranked the top prospects in this year’s NHL Draft
Tier 1: Macklin Celebrini
Tier 2: the rest 😂 pic.twitter.com/qNsVPSf0NO
Celebrini recorded 32 goals and 32 assists in just 38 games for the Terriers last season.
Prior to establishing himself as a Boston University star, Celebrini was named the 2022-23 USHL Forward of the Year after leading the league with 46 goals and 86 points in 50 games for the Chicago Steel.
In both the NCAA and USHL, Celebrini stood out not for just his scoring abilities, but his passing and defensive strengths as well.
Those qualities will help the Sharks forget about a dismal 2023-24 campaign that included a record-tying 11-game season-opening winless streak.
Evan Johnson @thevoiceofevanI hope Celebrini pans out, the Sharks deserve something going their way
Tarunist @tarsquaredIt’s a good thing the Sharks are terrible right now because Macklin Celebrini is going to be a problem for the Pacific in a few seasons
Celebrini will now join former Boston College standout Will Smith and 2021 first-rounder William Eklund to form the Sharks’ new offensive core.
Matt Kane @mattykane105Love the future for the San Jose Sharks. Celebrini joins a couple studs like Will Smith and William Eklund, and they still have a pick coming up.
Buying into Mike Grier’s plan for San Jose.#SJSharks
qrow, bird for hire @eaglevsqrowseklund / smith / celebrini gonna be a crazy line tbh
Kerny @Kerny1xSmith and Celebrini bout to run this league
Tommy Bennett @TJBennettt37It’s got to be a great moment to have hockey legend Joe Thornton call your name
Celebrini and Smith are going to be a blast to watch #SJSharks
The Sharks had more than $30 million in projected cap space available heading into the draft, per CapFriendly.
That will leave the franchise with more than enough room to begin building a new roster around Celebrini, Smith, Eklund and the Sharks’ upcoming No. 11 pick as San Jose looks to climb back toward playoff contention.
