Macklin Celebrini signs entry-level contract with Sharks, will play in NHL – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

Macklin Celebrini’s homecoming is complete.

The 18-year-old phenom signed his entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks, general manager Mike Grier announced Saturday, meaning he will play in the NHL next season.

Celebrini is officially turning pro after it was unclear whether he would return for another season at Boston University after the Sharks selected him first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft last month.

Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now was the first to report the news that Celebrini would be turning professional.

“Macklin is not only a special player on the ice, he is also a poised, confident and intelligent young man off the ice,” Grier said in a statement released by the team. “His combination of skill and hockey sense is rare, and we are extremely confident that he is ready to make the transition to becoming a full-time NHL player. We couldn’t be more pleased to have Macklin officially signed by the Sharks organization for the 2024-25 season.”

Celebrini’s arrival sparks palpable excitement about the Sharks’ future after they capped a difficult five-year stretch with a dreadful 2023-24 season. He dominated the college game as a 17-year-old, earning Hobey Baker Memorial Award honors as the NCAA’s top player after recording 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) and a plus-25 rating in 38 games for BU.

Celebrini got a taste of the Sharks’ passionate fan base at this week’s development camp in San Jose, and he praised the support he and his teammates have received.

“It’s nice to be wanted,” Celebrini said. “They (Sharks fans) were there to support us today. From everything I’ve heard, they’re some of the best fans in the league. So I’m excited to get out there and play in front of them.”

This isn’t Celebrini’s first time wearing the Sharks jersey. He played for the Jr. Sharks during the 2019-20 season and had 94 points (49 goals, 45 assists) in 54 games with the 14-and-under team.

With Celebrini officially signed to an NHL contract, San Jose will have its top two prospects next season, as 2023 No. 4 overall pick Will Smith made his transition to the pros official in May.

After the young centres put in strong performances in Thursday’s practice game, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the Sharks’ long-term prospects as the proud franchise looks to regain its footing among the NHL’s elite.

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