Macklin Celebrini knows he has a big decision looming.

The No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft last week made his Sharks debut Tuesday morning at the teamB次元官网网址檚 development camp. Whether he plays for San Jose this upcoming season or returns to Boston University for his sophomore season is to be determined.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 coming up,B次元官网网址� Celebrini said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l make the decision pretty quick here. Just trying to enjoy this camp, and after that I guess itB次元官网网址檚 time to make a decision.B次元官网网址�

The 18-year-old Celebrini impressed the dozens of fans in attendance at Sharks Ice in San Jose with his effortless skating ability, masterful stick-handling and a lightning-quick release on his shot.

B次元官网网址淩eally good,B次元官网网址� said John McCarthy, head coach of the SharksB次元官网网址� AHL affiliate San Jose Barracuda. B次元官网网址淗e was super competitive on pucks. I thought thatB次元官网网址檚 what stood out to me the most.B次元官网网址�

Afterward, Celebrini spent several minutes signing autographs for fans.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice to be wanted,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been good. They were out there supporting today. From everything IB次元官网网址檝e heard, they are some of the best fans in the league. IB次元官网网址檓 excited to start playing in front of them.B次元官网网址�

Celebrini had 32 goals and 32 assists in 38 games as a freshman at BU last season, becoming the youngest winner of the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in college hockey.

The Sharks made him their first-ever No. 1 overall draft choice last Friday at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

B次元官网网址淚 think he is a mature kid,B次元官网网址� McCarthy said. B次元官网网址淚 know a lot of people (at Boston University), and talking to them about him, as impressive as he is as a player and his skill level, theyB次元官网网址檙e equally as impressed as a person. The way that he carries himself, the way that he goes about his business, itB次元官网网址檚 high end, which is why he went first overall.B次元官网网址�

A native of North Vancouver, Celebrini moved to Northern California in 2018 at the age of 12 when his father, Rick, became the Golden State Warriors director of sports medicine and performance. He played with the Junior Sharks U-14 team in 2019.

The elder Celebrini still works for the Warriors, now as the vice president of player health and performance, while Macklin is excited to be back in the Bay Area with the Sharks.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been fun,B次元官网网址� the younger Celebrini said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a long process throughout the draft and stuff, but now itB次元官网网址檚 when the fun begins. You just get to skate, play hockey and just have fun with the guys.B次元官网网址�

The Sharks are counting on Celebrini to spark a dramatic turnaround following a disappointing 2023-24 season. San Jose finished with the worst record in the NHL at 19-54-9 for a total of 47 points, their fewest since the 1995-96 season.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e moving in the right direction,B次元官网网址� Celebrini said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 so many players getting ready to make their debut, especially with the signings that weB次元官网网址檝e made. ItB次元官网网址檚 an exciting time.B次元官网网址�

Celebrini will go through another day of development camp on Wednesday before the teamB次元官网网址檚 annual prospect scrimmage Thursday.

Where he plays after that remains to be seen.

B次元官网网址淚 think heB次元官网网址檚 a really, really talented, really good hockey player,B次元官网网址� McCarthy said. B次元官网网址淎s far as the other stuff, thatB次元官网网址檚 kind of above me.B次元官网网址�

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