Meet Macklin Celebrini, the prospective NHL No. 1 Draft pick whose dad works for the Golden State Warriors
NHL Draft prospect Macklin Celebrini is such a big star that the Golden State Warriors recently took a road trip to watch him play.
The Boston University center, 17, is the consensus No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft and is projected to be selected by the San Jose Sharks.
Celebrini is also the son of Rick Celebrini, the Warriors vice president of player health and performance.
And the hockey star has developed such a buzz that Draymond Green, Steve Kerr, and other members of the Warriors watched him play in Geneva, Illinois, in January 2023 while in nearby Chicago.
"I was like, really? You wanna go?" Rick said to Green, per ESPN.
"I mean, it's actually not close to where we stay with the team."
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Green replied, "I don't care...How often do you get an opportunity to see Sidney Crosby at 17?"
Macklin grew up playing soccer in Vancouver – but he always had a passion for hockey.
"I started off skating, like any kid would, just skating laps at a public rink," Macklin said.
"Then once I had a stick in my hand, it was game over."
Macklin was a high-achiever from the outset, with his youth team winning the prestigious Brick Invitational Tournament.
He was also around top-end athletes since he was a kid, with his dad working for the Canucks and MLS Whitecaps before moving to the Warriors.
"When Macklin was younger, there was sort of almost like an osmosis," Rick said.
"He wasn't really paying attention, but I believe he took a lot of it in, especially the early days when I'd work with Steve Nash and I would spend four or five hours on the court and in the gym."
Macklin enrolled at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Minnesota in 2020 and also played for the Chicago Steel junior team.
He also represented Canada at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship in April 2023.
Stanley Cup Final schedule
Sat 8 June - Game 1, Edmonton Oilers 0-3 Florida Panthers
Mon 10 June - Game 2, Edmonton Oilers 1-4 Florida Panthers
Thur 13 June - Game 3, Florida Panthers 4-3 Edmonton Oilers
Sat 15 June - Game 4, 8pm ET - Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers
Tue 18 June - Game 5, 8pm ET - Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers
Fri 21 June - Game 6, 8pm ET - Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers
Mon 24 June - Game 7, 8pm ET - Edmonton Oilers at Florida Panthers
(Florida leads Edmonton 3-0)
At Boston University, he won the Hobey Baker Award as best player in the country as a 17-year-old freshman.
Macklin was given a taste of the NHL this week as a guest of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers.
He met a number of NHL stars, namely the Oilers' Connor McDavid.
The NHL draft is scheduled to take place June 28 at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Macklin is expected to be picked by the Sharks, allowing him to live and work near his dad who is in the Bay Area with the Warriors.
"It'd be very cool if I get selected there," he said.
"I mean, it'd be a dream come true."
Macklin said he was "nervous" and "excited" about the Draft.
"I have different emotions about it," he said.
"People say enjoy it – that it only happens once in your life – so I'm really going to try to do that."
Macklin added that he remains undecided about turning pro or returning to Boston University next season.
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“Hopefully in the future I’m playing in the Stanley Cup Final,” he added.
“I really hope so.”