The 2025 IIHF World Championship ended with disappointment for Staff Canada, however loads of their gamers had optimistic takeaways from the match, maybe none extra so than Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks. At simply 18 years of age, he adopted up a robust rookie season by making his first look with Canada’s senior nationwide crew and posting six factors and a plus-9 ranking in eight video games earlier than their upset loss to Denmark within the quarterfinals. He performed alongside a few of the greatest Canadian gamers in latest NHL historical past, successful their approval within the course of, and acquired a significant likelihood within the early phases of his profession.
Celebrini Groups up with Superstars
Canada’s roster had loads of top-tier facilities, a lot in order that Celebrini, a pure middle, spent a lot of the match taking part in on the wing as a substitute. That was hardly an issue, although — he received to play on a line centered by Sidney Crosby, and the 2 made for a terrific tandem. They teamed up for a number of objectives and shared some humorous moments collectively as nicely.
As one of many youngest gamers within the NHL, Celebrini received a uncommon alternative to check and be taught from gamers he admires and needs to mannequin his profession after, resembling Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. Even in only a handful of video games in a single match, he relished the prospect to share the ice and a locker room with these stars.
“It’s the whole lot,” Celebrini instructed reporters. “It’s simply being round them. Enjoying with them. Going to dinner with them. All the pieces. I believe taking part in with a few of the greatest gamers on this planet and attending to be taught from them and discuss to them and watch how they method the sport and do issues … that’s one thing I don’t take as a right.”
Regardless of his age, Celebrini appeared like he belonged at a top-tier worldwide match. He performed with confidence past his years on offense, constantly made good choices with the puck and confirmed off his competitiveness on each side of the ice. He made optimistic contributions to Canada’s play and confirmed why he’s probably the greatest 18-year-olds in latest NHL historical past. Crosby and MacKinnon had been each requested about what recommendation they’d give him, however they each supplied reward as a substitute.
“I don’t actually have a lot recommendation,” Crosby stated. “He’s dealt with it fairly nicely. He’s mature. He loves the sport. Likes to compete. He cares about each side of the sport on each side of the puck. With expertise, clearly the whole lot will get a bit bit simpler. You may’t actually fast-track that. I believe he’s heading in the right direction. He in all probability doesn’t want to listen to an excessive amount of from me.”
“I’ve no recommendation for him,” MacKinnon added. “He’s a professional. He’s miles forward of the place I used to be at 18, mentally … he’s a terrific child. He’s dominating. He’s standing out with a whole lot of older gamers. I believe with first half, he’s going to have a extremely good likelihood on the Olympic crew. Actually impressed with him. He’s wonderful. He’s so mature for an 18-year-old, such a terrific perspective. Tremendous blissful. I can inform how exhausting he works. He has a vivid future.”
When Celebrini arrived within the NHL and proved himself to be an impression participant, the remainder of the hockey world took discover. The approval he’s receiving from a few of the greatest gamers within the league serves as each an extra affirmation of his standing as a participant to observe and an unbelievable alternative to develop his recreation.
Celebrini Positive aspects Massive-Sport Expertise
Whereas Celebrini’s tutelage underneath Crosby and MacKinnon was his most necessary takeaway from the match, he acquired one other profit from the occasion as nicely. The competitors gave him one other likelihood to play in high-stakes video games, which ought to give him additional preparation for the Stanley Cup Playoffs each time his first look comes.
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Though Celebrini had a really optimistic rookie season on a person stage, he clearly didn’t get to play a whole lot of significant video games from a standings perspective, particularly late within the season. He’s performed in junior worldwide tournaments earlier than, however by taking part in on the World Championship, he received to compete in a playoff-like ambiance alongside and in opposition to different NHL gamers for the primary time. Any expertise he has now ought to simply get him extra prepared for Sharks playoff video games. Despite the fact that this one ended with heartbreak, going by way of troublesome losses can additional develop his psychological toughness, which is all of the extra necessary at a younger age.
Celebrini isn’t the one Shark who can use this match as a method to put together for the playoffs. Most notably, Will Smith and head coach Ryan Warsofsky ought to be taught lots as key items of the American crew. However Celebrini’s play for Canada, mixed with the compliments he acquired from a number of Stanley Cup champions, highlights simply how necessary he can be if the Sharks need to win titles of their very own.
Sharks Hope Celebrini’s Efficiency Interprets
Celebrini’s outcomes on the World Championship present he’s able to holding his personal in necessary video games with and in opposition to top-level gamers, most of whom are far older than him. The Sharks need to put that to make use of quickly by returning to the playoffs with him as a core member of the crew. This match proved what he can do when he’s surrounded by different nice gamers. San Jose has taken a whole lot of optimistic steps to construct the crew round him, however they’ve much more work to do and it begins this offseason. If each Celebrini and the Sharks proceed on their present trajectories, he ought to have the ability to take his World Championship efficiency and apply it to the playoffs in San Jose inside just a few seasons.
