Early in the season, it wasn’t a sure thing.

But by the time rosters were named, San Jose Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini had left no doubt. He belonged on Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics, no matter his age.

At this point, Celebrini seems set to play on Canada’s first line with Connor McDavid when they get action underway at the tournament on Thursday.

No one is questioning it. Celebrini has played 55 games this season, and he has 28 goals and 53 assists.

Pretty much every time he plays, Celebrini sets some kind of age-based record that has only ever been done by the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby.

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How old is Macklin Celebrini?

Celebrini is 19 years old. 

He’s the youngest player to ever play for Canada during the NHL era of the Olympics.

There have been younger before, namely 17-year old Kirk Muller in 1984.

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But in Games that NHL players have competed in, Canada has never had a player as young as Celebrini.

This is mostly a veteran Canadian team. They didn’t bring players like Connor Bedard (20) or Matthew Schaefer (18).

But this was a different tier. Celebrini was too good to ignore. He had to make the team. And now he plans to make an impact.

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