San Jose Sharks Win the Celebrini Sweepstakes
Photo Credit: Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald
SECAUCUS, N.J. (PSF) — The San Jose Sharks haven’t had much to look forward to this year, with having the worst record in the NHL. However, their previously bleak future has gotten much brighter by the team winning the NHL Draft Lottery.
This gives them the number one overall pick, which will likely be used on Boston University Terrier center, Macklin Celebrini. For the second consecutive year, we are seeing one of the best prospects of this generation coming into their respective draft class. Last year produced Chicago Blackhawks C Connor Bedard, now Celebrini will follow him.
How good is Celebrini? He definitely has the stats to back up his immense talent. From 2019 to 2022, according to Elite Prospects, he scored 163 goals (51 in the 2021-2022 season with the Shattuck St. Mary’s 14U AAA team, in the USHS-Prep League), 216 assists (a career high of 90 in the 2021-2022 season), totaling in 379 career points.
He first gained national attention in the States when he joined the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL). In his lone season in Geneva, Ill, Celebrini scored 46 goals and 40 assists, totaling in 86 points.
Celebrini made history for not only the Steel, but also the USHL. According to NBC Sports Chicago, “He became the first player in USHL history to win all three major awards in a single season: Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Forward of the Year, and he did so at age 16.” He also broke the Steel’s franchise record for most single season power play goals with 21, according to the Chicago Steel. The record was previously held by current Calgary Flames right winger Matt Coronato in the 2020-2021 season.
This past year, Celebrini played his first, and only season of NCAA hockey when he played for the Boston University. With the Terriers, Celebrini scored 32 goals and had 32 assists, totaling in 64 points. He also became the youngest player in NCAA history to win the Hobey Baker award at 17. This award is given to the best player in NCAA hockey.
The Sharks get the best prospect in the upcoming class. Their only hope is that he has a better rookie season than Bedard, who is one of the finalists to win the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Better times are ahead for the Sharks. Can Celebrini translate from the jump? That will be determined in the coming months.
The NHL Draft will be taking place in Las Vegas, Nev., inside the Sphere. This will certainly be one of the most unique drafts.
