Sharks take Macklin Celebrini No. 1 in NHL draft - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — Macklin Celebrini was the No. 1 overall choice at the NHL draft on Friday, going swiftly off the board to the San Jose Sharks.

The 18-year-old center projected to be the draft's No. 1 selection following a celebrated freshman season at Boston University. Celebrini became, at just 17 years old, the youngest winner of a Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's top skater. He produced 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games for the Terriers.

Celebrini — clocking in at 6-foot and just shy of 200 pounds — was second overall in college scoring, failing to notch at least one point in only six games.

Just four other freshman — Paul Kariya, Jack Eichel and Adam Fantilli — had ever won a Hobey Baker Award. That same season Celebrini was the Hockey East Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and scoring champion.

«Just a surreal feeling, I've been dreaming of this moment since I was a kid,» Celebrini told ESPN after the former Sharks center Joe Thornton made the selection for the franchise.

Celebrini is a quintessential two-way skater, with excellent speed and a lethal shot that's made him a dominant threat at every level of his career to date. An ability to dial into defensive details and battle for pucks has set Celebrini apart and made him a coveted addition who is ready to join NHL ranks immediately.

Prior to joining the college ranks, Celebrini spent the 2022-23 season with the USHL's Chicago Steel, where he led the Steel to an Eastern Conference Finals berth with 46 goals and 86 points in 50 games.

Celebrini, who hails from North Vancouver, British Columbia, has represented Canada internationally at the 2023 U-18 championships and 2024 World Junior Championships, when he led Canada in scoring with four goals and eight points.

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