Celebrini officially on Sharks, who draft young star No. 1 overall
Celebrini officially on Sharks, who draft young star No. 1 overall originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
In a move that surprised nobody but could be franchise-changing nonetheless, the Sharks picked highly touted prospect Macklin Celebrini No. 1 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday night in Las Vegas.
Seven weeks after San Jose won the 2024 draft lottery, its selection is official, ushering in a new era of hockey in Northern California.
Celebrini relished every moment, revealing his elation after fulfilling a childhood dream by officially being selected in the NHL draft.
“Just a surreal feeling. I’ve dreamed of this moment ever since I was a kid and for it to come true, it’s an amazing feeling,” Celebrini told ESPN’s Leah Hextall.
Former No. 1 overall pick and Sharks legend Joe Thornton was on hand in Las Vegas to announce the selection, effectively passing the baton to Celebrini as the young star joins the franchise Jumbo called home for 15 seasons.
“It’s super exciting he [Thornton] made the pick, obviously a Sharks legend and NHL legend, so that was really exciting,” Celebrini told Hextall regarding Thornton announcing the pick.
Celebrini long has been considered the best prospect in the 2024 class, giving the Sharks a much-needed jolt of optimism on the heels of a historically bad season in which San Jose finished with an NHL-worst 47 points.
The 18-year-old, whose family lives in Livermore, spent last season at Boston University and earned the Hobey Baker Memorial Award — given annually to college hockey’s top player — during his lone season with the Terriers.
Celebrini recorded 64 points — 32 goals and 32 assists — during his lone season at BU, demonstrating the electric playmaking ability that led to him being San Jose’s first No. 1 pick in franchise history.
For the Sharks, Celebrini’s selection now can serve as a true turning point, the moment a long period of suffering swiftly changes into unbridled optimism about what the future could hold after a…
