Tag: Macklin Celebrini

Sharks Select Celebrini 1st Overall in 2024 NHL Draft

Published on by M WalshLeave a comment

Macklin Celebrini, second from left, poses after being selected by San Jose Sharks during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

By Mary Walsh

For the first time in their 33-year history, the San Jose Sharks held the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. On Friday, they used that pick to select Macklin Celebrini, 18 year old center from Boston University. That he would be selected first this year was widely expected. Joe Thornton announced the selection for the Sharks.

Celebrini is just the fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award, and led the Canadian team in scoring in the World Junior Championships this year. The 6’, 197 lb center is reputed to be highly skilled at both ends of the rink.

After being selected, Celebrini said, of having his name called by Joe Thornton: “It’s super exciting he made the pick. Sharks legend and NHL legend, so that was real exciting.”

Celebrini played with the Junior Sharks, but was born in Vancouver, BC. His family came to the Bay Area after his father, Rick Celebrini, became the Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Golden State Warriors.

The Sharks also had the eleventh overall pick, acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the 14th and 42nd overall picks. The Sharks used this second first rounder to select defenseman Sam Dickinson from the OHL’s London Knights. The 18 year old, 6’3” defenseman had 18 goals and 52 assists in 68 games this season.

After being selected, Dickinson said that he did not really start out as a defenseman. “I started my career I guess as a goalie. I was cut from the same team three years in a row and they needed a back up goalie so I was there for that.” The general view of his skills as a defenseman have improved considerably since that time.

The Sharks and General Manager Mike Grier released the following statement after the first round:

“It’s a big weekend for the organization,” said Grier. “We’re really excited. Not only with Macklin (Celebrini), but with Sam (Dickinson) too. The potential to add a top pairing (defenseman) and a first-line center doesn’t come along too often in one draft. It’s a big moment for us and we’re really excited.”

The Sharks have seven more picks to use on Saturday.

Mary Walsh is covering the NHL Draft at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Celebrini looking to go #1 in draft; Knights dominate Canucks; plus more NHL news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Team Canada Macklin Celebrini scores against Team Latvia in the IIHF World Junior Championship group in Gothenburg Sweden Wed Dec 27, 2023. Celebrini is the NHL No.1 draft choice in the 2024 NHL Draft. (TT News Agency photo via AP)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Macklin Celebrini is the expceted No.1 draft choice out of the NHL draft. Celebrini is having a great year at Boston University scoring 32 goals and 64 points in 37 games. Celebrini is well sought after most likely he could go in the first of the draft.

#2 Len, how potent is this Vegas Golden Knights (42-25-8) team they scored four goals in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks to win it 6-3 on Tuesday and pick up their point streak to seven games. The Canucks who are first in the Pacific are starting to show ware they have now lost three of their last four games.

#3 Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella says the Flyers need another level just to make post season. The Flyers are on a five game skid and have lost five of their last ten games. The Flyers are third in the Metropolitan Division. Tortorella said that it’s his job to get this team over the hump and he hasn’t done that good of a job to do that.

#4 The Vegas Golden Knights Tomas Hertl made morning practice on Tuesday. Hertl had been skating on his own on Mar 11. Since he had knee surgery on Feb 12th he’s skated on his own and the Knights are hoping to get him in the line up on Friday night against the Arizona Coyotes.

#5 Len, lets talk about Dallas and the scoring race.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com