SAN JOSE, Calif. – Macklin Celebrini has made history by being named the captain of the San Jose Sharks, making him the youngest player ever to hold this prestigious position at just 20 years old.
The announcement was made during a team meeting, where Celebrini received the captain’s jersey from former Sharks captain Joe Thornton before practice on Friday. Celebrini expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s a huge honor. It’s just something that I can’t really take lightly. Obviously, there’s a responsibility that comes with that. But at the same time, I’m not really going to change who I am or what I do. Just a huge honor first and foremost and with that comes some responsibility.”
Celebrini steps into the captaincy following the career-ending injury of Logan Couture, becoming the 11th full-time captain in Sharks history. Couture, who held the role since the 2019-20 season, was unable to play during the 2024-25 season due to chronic injuries.
Last season, Celebrini was one of five players who served as alternate captains, but now he is set to lead the team moving forward. His selection as captain is particularly notable as he surpasses Patrick Marleau, who was appointed captain at age 24 in 2004. Celebrini also becomes the youngest captain currently in the NHL, narrowly edging out 21-year-old Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks.
General manager Mike Grier commented on Celebrini’s leadership qualities, stating, “He’s earned it through the way he works and competes and the way he’s played on the ice and the way he’s handled himself off the ice. I don’t know if anyone drafts someone at 18 and thinks by the time they’re 20 they’re going to be leading your team and be your captain. But there are those rare special players who do it and Macklin is one of them.”
Since being drafted first overall in 2024, Celebrini has rapidly emerged as a cornerstone of the franchise, signing a lucrative five-year, $94 million extension this summer that keeps him under contract through the 2031-32 season. With 178 career points as a teenager, he ranks fifth all-time in points and seventh in goals scored before turning 20.
Celebrini’s impressive performance last season included 45 goals and 70 assists, totaling 115 points, which broke Joe Thornton’s previous franchise record of 114 set in 2006-07. This achievement also places him third in all-time points for a player under 20, trailing only legends Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby.
In addition to his NHL accomplishments, Celebrini made headlines during international play, leading Canada in scoring at the Olympics, contributing five goals to help secure a silver medal, and serving as captain for Team Canada in the World Cup.
Despite Celebrini’s standout season, the Sharks have faced challenges, missing the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. However, they made significant strides, improving their overall performance by 34 points, marking one of the top ten single-season increases in the past three decades.
Teammate Tyler Toffoli praised Celebrini’s work ethic and leadership style, noting, “It’s not always the things he says. Obviously, he’s very vocal in the sense of he’s still a young kid and he enjoys coming to the rink and cracking jokes and having fun. But at the same time, when it comes to work… he can be serious. It’s one of those things when whenever he talks, you listen.”
Celebrini is part of a promising young core for the Sharks, alongside talents like Michael Misa, Will Smith, Igor Chernyshov, and Sam Dickinson. Additionally, the team added to its youth this offseason by securing three first-round picks, highlighted by the selection of Swedish left winger Ivar Stenberg at No. 2 overall.
To strengthen the roster, Grier also acquired veteran players, trading for defenseman Darnell Nurse and signing defenseman Jacob Trouba and forward Mason Marchment. With a blend of youth and experience, the Sharks are optimistic about their chances of returning to playoff contention.
As Grier stated, “When you get a special player, it changes the trajectory of things that you’re on. He gives the group a certain level of belief that things are possible. We were fortunate to win the lottery and be able to select Mac.”
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