Macklin Celebrini: NHL 27 Cover Star, Olympics, and the Sharks’ Big Moment

Meet Macklin Celebrini

It’s a great time to be Macklin Celebrini!

• He is a 20-year-old hockey star for the San Jose Sharks (a team in the NHL, which is the top hockey league in North America).
• He was just revealed as the youngest cover athlete ever in the history of EA Sports’ NHL video game series.
• He will appear on both the Standard and Deluxe versions of the game called “NHL 27,” coming out later this year.

Important Point: Being the youngest cover athlete in NHL game history is a huge honor for a 20-year-old player!

A Dream Season

Celebrini just had the best season of his hockey life:

• He set a Sharks record for most points in one season (115 points).
• He was nominated for the Ted Lindsay Award (given to the most outstanding player, voted by other players).
• He made the Team Canada roster for the Winter Olympics.
  • Hockey legends Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon supported his spot.
  • He led the tournament with 5 goals in 6 games.
  • Canada won the silver medal in men’s hockey.

What’s Next for Him?

The next few months could be even bigger:

1. He can sign a huge contract extension with the Sharks this summer.
2. Many think the Sharks could reach the playoffs for the first time in his three-season career.

We talked with Celebrini about all this and more!

Summer Plans and the NHL 27 Cover

Q: Any exciting summer plans?
He’s keeping it low-key but went to a couple of World Cup games and is enjoying time off.

Q: What did you think of the NHL 27 cover?

• He said it was amazing and loved it.
• The process was simple: they sent it to him, and he said, “Yeah, it looks good.”

Gaming Inside the Sharks

Q: What’s the gaming culture like with the Sharks?

• A few guys like to play video games.
• Most don’t play much.
• They have a PS5 in the locker room lounge.
• They play a little after practice or while hanging out—pretty chill!

Olympic Experience

Celebrini won the IIHF Male Player of the Year award for his NHL and Olympic play.

Q: What surprised you most about being an Olympian?

• It was super fun.
• The ending was rough (Canada lost the final), but the whole experience was cool.
• Staying in the Olympic Village with athletes from other sports was awesome.
• This year’s villages were a bit different, but still amazing.

Sharks Offseason Changes

New teammates:
He’s happy that defenseman Jacob Trouba is now on his team instead of against him—no more worrying about Trouba hitting him!

Friends leaving:

• This is his first offseason with many players leaving.
• William Eklund was traded to Ottawa.
• It’s tough losing close friends from the locker room.
• But he’s happy they get new opportunities.

Important Point: Celebrini says the hardest part of the offseason is friends leaving, even if it’s good for their careers.

Playoff Hopes

For the first time, people expect the Sharks to be a playoff team (they’ve missed since 2019).

• Celebrini says that’s the goal—ending a 7-year drought would be a big step.
• General Manager Mike Grier added veterans, showing the team is ready.
• They also got a great young player, Ivar Stenberg, at pick No. 2 in the draft.

Leo Carlsson and Contracts

Q: Thoughts on Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet?

• Carlsson got a record $18 million per year from the Flyers.
• Everyone was surprised at first because that number is huge.
• But he’s amazing and deserved it.
• With the NHL salary cap going up, big numbers will become normal.
• Rising salaries help all players get financial stability.

Q: Will you sign your contract early?

• He still has one year left on his deal.
• No rush—he’ll sign when it makes sense for both sides.

Q: Do Crosby/MacKinnon taking less money inspire you?

• Yes! Players want to win.
• Taking less can help the team spend on others.
• But he hasn’t decided anything yet.

Famous Friends and Fun Facts

• His dad, Rick, works for the Golden State Warriors (NBA team) in sports medicine.
• Growing up near NBA stars taught him athletes are just people.
• Meeting idol Sidney Crosby felt different—he’s careful not to text him too much!
• If LeBron James joined the Warriors, it would feel weird (like Ovi and Crosby teaming up) but cool for the game.

Summary

Macklin Celebrini, 20, is the youngest ever NHL video game cover star and just had a record-breaking season with Olympic silver. The Sharks are adding players and aiming for playoffs. He may sign a big contract soon, friends are leaving, and he’s learning from legends like Crosby. Off the ice, he enjoys gaming, family NBA ties, and a bright future.

FAQ

1. Who is Macklin Celebrini?
A 20-year-old San Jose Sharks hockey player who just became the youngest cover athlete in EA Sports NHL game history.

2. What did Celebrini achieve last season?
He set a Sharks points record (115), was nominated for an award, and won Olympic silver with 5 goals in 6 games.

3. Are the Sharks expected to make the playoffs?
Yes, for the first time in his career, many expect them to end their drought since 2019.

4. What is an offer sheet in hockey?
It’s when another team offers a player a contract; the original team can match it or let him leave. Leo Carlsson got a huge one.

5. Does Celebrini want to take less money to help his team?
He respects players who do, but hasn’t made a decision about his own contract yet.