Macklin Celebrini Picked No. 1 By Sharks in 2024 NHL Draft as Fans Hype Rising Star

Julia StumbaughJune 28, 2024

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA - APRIL 11: Macklin Celebrini #71 of the Boston University Terriers skates in the first period against the Denver Pioneers during the NCAA Mens Hockey Frozen Four semifinal at the Xcel Energy Center on April 11, 2024 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Pioneers won 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

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_OpenIce
JUMBO JOE IN THE HOUSE 🔥 Joe Thornton made the pick that brings Macklin Celebrini to San Jose <a href="https://t.co/imyvq5mgym">pic.twitter.com/imyvq5mgym</a>

Hailey Salvian @hailey_salvian
The moment Macklin Celebrini is selected first overall from outside The Sphere <a href="https://t.co/wiSSos3lsr">pic.twitter.com/wiSSos3lsr</a>

Brad Elliott Schlossman @SchlossmanGF
BU 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 @rayalmeda
A new generation begins. Welcome to the <a href="https://twitter.com/SanJoseSharks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SanJoseSharks</a> Macklin Celebrini. <a href="https://twitter.com/SAPCenter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SAPCenter</a> is poppin! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoSharks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoSharks</a> <a href="https://t.co/PORSKAPjJD">pic.twitter.com/PORSKAPjJD</a>

Vinnie Parise @VinnieParise
Macklin 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 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SJSharks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SJSharks</a> are getting a STAR!

Y - Matt 🇨🇦 @TammySZN_
Macklin Celebrini 1st overall pick!! Deserved!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLDraft?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLDraft</a>

Daryl @DarylDancy
Macklin Celebrini jersey in the cart

Ethan Cadeaux @Ethan_Cadeaux
Lol at how Tankathon ranked the top prospects in this year's NHL Draft Tier 1: Macklin Celebrini Tier 2: the rest 😂 <a href="https://t.co/qNsVPSf0NO">pic.twitter.com/qNsVPSf0NO</a>

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 @thevoiceofevan
I hope Celebrini pans out, the Sharks deserve something going their way

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Tarunist @tarsquared
It'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 @mattykane105
Love 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.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SJSharks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SJSharks</a>

qrow, bird for hire @eaglevsqrows
eklund / smith / celebrini gonna be a crazy line tbh

Kerny @Kerny1x
Smith and Celebrini bout to run this league

Tommy Bennett @TJBennettt37
It'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 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SJSharks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SJSharks</a>

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.