Making a winning impression on others just comes naturally to Macklin Celebrini.
Rave reviews, for the person and player, have long been the norm for one of hockey’s premier talents, from his prep school days at Shattuck-Saint Mary’s to his young NHL career and current role as captain of Team Canada at the IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship in Switzerland.
“For a guy that young, Celly carries himself with incredible maturity,” said Nashville Predators veteran forward Ryan O’Reilly, who is playing alongside Celebrini at the Worlds. “He’s humble, works hard every day, and has earned the respect of everyone in our room.”
Dylan Cozens, who completed his sixth NHL season and first full season with the Ottawa Senators, offered similar thoughts.
“I’m extremely impressed with him as a player,” said Cozens. “I don’t see any weaknesses in his game. He excels in every area. It’s very fun to watch. As a person and a teammate, he’s been great. The confidence he has as a 19-year-old is very impressive, especially with the guys we have in this room. Yet, he’s so humble and down to earth.”
Celebrini’s hockey skills are otherworldly.
This past season, the first overall pick of the San Jose Sharks in 2024 set a single-season franchise record with 115 points (45-70–115) in his 2025-26 sophomore campaign, which eclipsed the previous mark of former Sharks great and 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee, Joe Thornton.
Celebrini, who finished the 2025-26 season fourth in points, received one of sport’s most treasured honours when he was named one of the three finalists for the 2025-26 Ted Lindsay Award (TLA). Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers are the other finalists for the TLA, which is presented annually to the most outstanding player in the NHL, as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA.\
“Being a Ted Lindsay Award finalist is a huge honour because it is voted on by my teammates and all the players that I compete against on a nightly basis,” Celebrini told NHLPA.com. “To be recognized and to have that respect from my peers, I feel, is the most important thing you can have as a competitor.”
Seeing his name on the same shortlist as three-time TLA recipient McDavid (2016-17, 2017-18, 2022-23) and two-time recipient Kucherov (2018-19, 2024-25), is equally as meaningful to Celebrini.
“To be voted in the same category as McDavid and Kucherov is very humbling and also motivating for me. Those two guys have been two of the best players in the NHL for so long, and those are guys that I looked up to and tried to learn from.”
Tyler Toffoli, a veteran of 969 regular-season games as one of the league’s most respected players, has seen first-hand what Celebrini brings to the rink every day.
“The most impressive quality has to be his work ethic and his desire to keep getting better,” praised Toffoli, who has played alongside Celebrini in San Jose over the latter’s two big-league seasons. “He doesn’t want to be denied.
“He’s the ideal teammate because he knows when it’s time to work and when it’s time to joke around and have fun. He understands where the line is.”
Fraser Minten was previously teammates with Celebrini at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, where the young Boston Bruins forward served as captain of the Canadian team. He quickly made note of the diligence in Macklin’s preparations.
“A lot of things stand out about Macklin,” offered Minten. “His professionalism and maturity at such a young age, to be as dialled in, focused and consistent as he is extremely impressive. He brings it every day whether it’s practice or a game, making sure he’s prepared to compete at such an elite level. This consistency is so difficult for young players and Macklin has no trouble doing it.”
When it comes to leadership style, Minten finds himself inspired by example.
“As a leader, it’s the same thing – he’s an easy guy to follow since he is always working, preparing, competing and ultimately executing at such an elite level that you are drawn to try to do the same,” he continued.
“He’s also a really nice guy who loves to smile and joke around and keeps everything light around the room too.”
Celebrini’s nice guy status was on full display when he took the time to wish happy birthday to a young fan named Carson, who had recently celebrated his fourth birthday with a Macklin-themed birthday party.
Celebrini, who played with Team Canada at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games and earned a silver medal, also has a profound respect for his veteran counterparts.
That was evident ahead of this year’s world championship.
As Celebrini was named captain of the Canadian entry, he became the youngest captain ever to lead his country’s senior men’s team at a major international tournament. After Hockey Canada finalized its roster with a notable addition, Team Canada GM Brad Treliving shared that Celebrini pushed hard for Sidney Crosby to assume the captaincy once he joined team, but Crosby, himself a three-time TLA recipient, turned down the idea of taking the “C” from him.
“Obviously, Celly is a special player and so much fun to watch, but what impresses you most is how much he cares about winning and how well he treats everyone around him,” said O’Reilly, who, along with John Tavares and Crosby are the team’s alternate captains. “He represents Canada the right way on and off the ice. It’s been so fun for myself and others to witness.”
Celebrini, named Player of the Game in a 6-0 win over Italy in round-robin action on May 16, is grateful for the support and the chance to be part of the group.
“You feel very fortunate to play on a team with so much talent and so many great people,” said Celebrini.
The feeling is very mutual.
“Just such a fun guy to be around,” praised Cozens. “It’s been great getting to know him and be on his team.”
