Having a father working for the Golden State Warriors and former NBA star Steve Nash for an uncle, college hockey player of the year and the presumptive No. 1 NHL draft pick Macklin Celebrini, likes to think heB次元官网网址檚 got game.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 pretty good,B次元官网网址� Celebrini said, referring to his basketball ability, before acknowledging his dad, Rick, might be a better judge. B次元官网网址淓very time I play and he watches, he says, `IB次元官网网址檓 a hockey player, playing basketball.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
Celebrini will even happily admit to his shortcomings, by shaking his head when asked how heB次元官网网址檇 fare against Steph Curry by saying, B次元官网网址淣o, I donB次元官网网址檛 think that would go over very well.B次元官网网址�
Curry, Draymond Green and the rest of the NBA can breathe easy.
At just under 6-feet and nearly 200 pounds, Celebrini isnB次元官网网址檛 about to quit what is projected to be a successful and lucrative pro hockey day job in preparing for the next step in his ascension on Friday, when the first round of the NHL draft opens at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
The San Jose Sharks hold the No. 1 pick and have already indicated their intention to choose the center. Celebrini represents the next major building block for a team thatB次元官网网址檚 gone five seasons without a playoff berth, with the added bonus of a homecoming of sorts.
Though from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Celebrini spent time in the Bay Area, where he played for the Junior Sharks after his father relocated the family in 2018 upon being hired as the Warriors vice president of player health and performance.
ItB次元官网网址檚 the same role Rick Celebrini previously held in Vancouver with the NHLB次元官网网址檚 Canucks and MLSB次元官网网址檚 Whitecaps, which provided his son an indelible behind-the-scenes glimpse into pro sports. As much as Celebrini hoped his son would follow in his footsteps by playing soccer, he knew very early on how much hockey meant to Macklin.
B次元官网网址淗e showed an affinity when he was very, very young,B次元官网网址� Celebrini said. B次元官网网址淎t four- or five-years-old, just the determination and love he had for it, and just the passion. You could see that he was B次元官网网址� and IB次元官网网址檝e said this a number of times B次元官网网址� born to be a hockey player.B次元官网网址�
Freshman shines at Boston University
Celebrini is coming off a celebrated freshman season at Boston University, where college hockeyB次元官网网址檚 youngest player last season B次元官网网址� he turned 18 earlier this month B次元官网网址� finished second in the nation with 32 goals and third with 64 points in 38 games. He became the fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award as college hockeyB次元官网网址檚 MVP, while also earning Hockey East player and rookie of the year honors.
B次元官网网址淚 think we had a pretty good feeling he was going to be pretty good,B次元官网网址� Terriers coach and former NHL forward Jay Pandolfo said.
B次元官网网址淭o be able to actually handle that pressure and keep getting better, thatB次元官网网址檚 not easy to do,B次元官网网址� Pandolfo added. B次元官网网址淵ou could see from Day 1, when he stepped on campus and stepped on the ice where he was going to do what he does as a player. And thatB次元官网网址檚 very impressive. There was no intimidation at all to him.B次元官网网址�
Celebrini failed to register a point in just six games. His production accelerated over the second half of the season by combining for 22 goals and 39 points in his final 17 games in helping the Terriers reach the Frozen Four, which they lost in the semifinal to eventual champion Denver.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not a fan of the term generational-type player and that, or putting labels on them,B次元官网网址� NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said of Celebrini. B次元官网网址淏ut you can just tell with these elite kids where they have that unique and rare ability to thrive while competing with consistency and with a passion to every challenge. Their skills and smarts just kick in, and heB次元官网网址檚 done it again.B次元官网网址�
Decisions, decisions
The only lingering question is whether Celebrini will turn pro or return to BU for a second season.
B次元官网网址淚 believe heB次元官网网址檚 ready to play at the National Hockey League level. HeB次元官网网址檚 physically mature and mentally mature,B次元官网网址� said Pandfolfo, who is among those serving as a sounding board for the player.
B次元官网网址淚 could argue either way and, to be honest, I donB次元官网网址檛 think heB次元官网网址檚 going to make the wrong decision,B次元官网网址� Pandolfo said, before laughing and adding heB次元官网网址檚 not going to turn Celebrini away if he chooses to stay.
Celebrini isnB次元官网网址檛 rushing into making a decision, saying he wants to enjoy the pre-draft process. Though excited by the prospect of going to San Jose, Celebrini said he would be grateful to join any team that selects him.
Sharks GM Mike Grier, a former Terrier, was already envisioning where Celebrini will fit in his lineup moments after the NHL revealed San Jose had won the draft lottery.
B次元官网网址淲hatB次元官网网址檚 exciting is he knows the area. His family has a house 30 minutes from here,B次元官网网址� Grier said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a big day for the organization. ItB次元官网网址檚 been a tough year for the fans and the team. B次元官网网址� So this is a nice prize for what weB次元官网网址檝e been through this year.B次元官网网址�
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AP Sports Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report.
John Wawrow, The Associated Press
