VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Macklin Celebrini grew up dreaming of playing NHL hockey at Rogers Arena.
On Monday night, that dream will come true.
“Skating here when I was younger, I kind of tried to put myself in an NHL player’s situation or shoes and pretend to be them. And now I’m here practicing and getting ready for the game tomorrow,” said the 18-year-old San Jose Sharks- center on Sunday. “It’s pretty surreal.”
Raised in North Vancouver, Celebrini was selected first overall in the June draft. He has 11 goals and 12 assists in his first 24 games.
On Monday, he will look to add to the tally when he plays against his hometown Vancouver Canucks for the first time.
It’s a big milestone for a young player who grew up around the team. His father, Rick Celebrini, worked in health sciences with the Canucks and the Celebrini children were often at the rink.
“We’d kind of go into the living room and between periods or after the game, you’d kind of stick your head out and try to see if you can see a guy or two,” the former Boston University star said.
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) crosses the puck against Utah Hockey Club defenseman Ian Cole (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in San Jose, California. Credit: AP/Eakin Howard
“I remember seeing Sid (Crosby) one time in the hallway, and me and my brother were kind of freaking out there and we saw the Sedins go by and stuff. Those are the kind of memories that stick with you.”
Despite Celebrini’s success, San Jose is last in the Pacific Division.
“There are some ups and downs, mistakes, learning curves. But overall, I feel good,” Celebrini said. “I mean, it sucks right now. We haven’t won that many games recently. But we’ve been there. We’ve been close enough where I think we should have won a couple of those games.”
There will be many friendly faces in the stands on Monday, including his parents and grandparents.
Rick Celebrini, now the director of sports medicine and performance for the Golden State Warriors, took a few days away from the NBA team’s trip to be in Vancouver and take in the game with 50 or 60 family and friends.
“I spent almost 50 years here in Vancouver, and all the kids were born and raised here, and they developed as athletes and as people here,” he said.
“So to see Macklin now training there today and playing them tomorrow, it’s really a full-circle moment and one of those times in life where you just look back and appreciate everything that’s happened.”
