Macklin Celebrini didn’t disappoint in his first National Hockey League game on Thursday night. The first-overall selection in the 2024 draft scored 7:01 into his NHL career to send San Jose Sharks fans and his teammates into a frenzy. But Celebrini didn’t even realize that it was his goal. The North Vancouver native threw a backhand pass into the slot towards a streaking William Eklund, but the puck went off St. Louis Blues defender Matthew Kessel and into the net for Celebrini’s first of his career. “I was like, ‘Nice goal,’ and [Eklund] was like, ‘I didn’t score, you did,’” Celebrini recalled after the game. “I mean, I thought he was just super excited that he scored, but I guess he was happy for me.”
Celebrini also added an assist on the night, which made him the first No. 1 overall selection to record multiple points in his NHL debut since Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews recorded four goals against the Ottawa Senators in 2016. At 18 years old, Celebrini also became the sixth-youngest player in NHL history to score in his debut and the fastest to score a goal in his first game since Mario Lemieux scored 2:59 into his debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1984.
“He did what everyone expected him to do,” teammate Tyler Toffoli said. “He made some really good plays. I think at the end of the day, he’s obviously got to be pumped personally for himself, but he wants to win and he’s like everybody else in here.”
The Sharks couldn’t ride Celebrini’s momentum, blowing a 4-1 lead in the third period to the Blues and losing 5-4 in overtime. The loss counts as an early learning experience for a young Sharks team that also featured top prospect Will Smith’s first game and head coach Ryan Warsofsky making his NHL coaching debut. “I thought he was good. Thought he was really good,” Warsofsky said of Celebrini after the game. “Points is one thing. [There are] some things he needs to learn without the puck, him and Will, but I thought they were both solid in their debut.”
Celebrating the Next Generation
The Sharks were one of the most successful franchises in the NHL over a span of 15 seasons, making 14 playoff appearances, five trips to the Western Conference finals and a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2016. Since getting to the conference finals in 2019, the Sharks have missed the playoffs for five straight seasons and bottomed out with a 19-win season in 2023-24 when they posted the worst goal differential in a season in 30 years. The prize for that performance came when San Jose won the draft lottery and the right to draft Celebrini, who had 64 points in 38 games as a freshman at Boston University last season and won the Hobey Baker Award as the top college player. The pick of Celebrini came a year after San Jose drafted Smith fourth, and he starred at Boston College last season before also joining the NHL. While the team on the ice might still be a few years away from contending, the additions of Celebrini and Smith have provided hope to a Sharks fan base sorely in need of it after seeing stars from the previous generation, such as Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, Tomas Hertl, Timo Meier and Erik Karlsson, move on in recent years.
Celebrini’s Performance in His NHL Debut
Celebrini scored his first career goal at 7:01 of the first period, just three shifts into the game, making him the second-fastest No. 1 pick to score a goal in his League debut. Only Mario Lemieux scored earlier in his debut, scoring 2:59 into the game against Boston on Oct. 11, 1984. Celebrini is the youngest player in NHL history to record two points in the first period of his debut at 18 years, 119 days, according to Sportradar. Shane Doan held the previous mark at 18 years, 362 days.
The Sharks’ Future
The Sharks' future is in good hands with Celebrini and Smith leading the charge. Both players showed their skill and potential in their NHL debuts. The Sharks have a long way to go before they become a contender again. The team needs to continue to develop its young players and add some veterans to the mix. The Sharks' future looks bright, but it is still a work in progress. The team will need time to grow and develop before it can challenge for a Stanley Cup. The Sharks’ faithful are hoping for a brighter future with a new generation of stars ready to lead the team.
The Sharks’ Future is Bright
The Sharks are still a long way from being a contender, but there is hope for the future with the addition of Celebrini and Smith. It is a new era for the Sharks, and it is an exciting time for the franchise. The Sharks have a lot of talent in their organization, and it will be interesting to see how they develop in the coming years.
