Macklin Celebrini had an eventful summer before returning to San Jose Sharks training camp.

The Sharks’ No. 1 center played on the same line as future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. He trained with budding NHL star Connor Bedard before both were invited to Team Canada’s Olympic Hockey Orientation Camp.

Crosby was and still is Celebrini’s idol. The Pittsburgh Penguins forward has had some nice things to say about Celebrini and his chances of making Canada’s 2026 Olympic Hockey team.

“He’s an incredible player. His all-around game at his age is pretty impressive […] He’s earned the right to be in the conversation.”

Sidney Crosby on Macklin Celebrini’s chance to make Canadian Olympic squad in 2026. pic.twitter.com/PNWFECkEQX— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 27, 2025

“He’s an idol of mine growing up, and someone I looked up to,” Celebrini said. “Anytime you get compliments from your peers and people you play against, it definitely means a little bit more.”

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Along with many other players around the NHL, the Olympics will remain in the back of every player’s mind. NHLers haven’t participated in the Winter Olympic Games since 2014.

“Any chance you get to represent your country, especially at the Olympics, it’s something that you think about when you’re a kid, and it means a lot,” Celebrini said. “I think just even being considered for a spot on that team, it’s one of the hardest teams to make in hockey. You never know what’s going to happen.”

Celebrini was just one of 42 NHLers that Hockey Canada invited to the camp. It is rare for a 19-year-old to make an Olympic roster, especially one as talented as Canada projects to be.

Celebrini focused on the Sharks moving forward, not outside expectations

It is no secret that Celebrini put a lot of pressure on himself during his rookie season with the San Jose Sharks. Now with the chance at representing his country at the Olympics, the pressure should only be higher.

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Celebrini was voted the future face of the NHL by an anonymous player poll.

Macklin Celebrini topped Connor Bedard in The Athletic’s player poll for next face of the NHL 😳

One player: “Macklin’s like a cross-breed of Sidney Crosby and Patrice Bergeron. I feel Bedard needs help to be good. Celebrini, I feel it’s like he’s carrying his line, his team.” pic.twitter.com/7CQnFV4dkR— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) September 18, 2025

Despite all the outside noise and hype that has surrounded the Sharks’ top player, he’s focused on contributing to his team and nothing else.

“The way I look at it, tomorrow I could have a bad day, and people could be saying that I’m not [the future face of the NHL]. It doesn’t really matter. There’s a lot of opinions, a lot of people that say different things,” Celebrini said. “At the end of the day, in a month, things could change. People could switch whatever they are thinking.

I have a belief in myself, and I know the player I am, and I know the time that I’ve put into it. Whatever people say, obviously, if it’s from people you respect and look to, I think it means a little bit more, whether it’s criticism or confidence, but I think you can’t really look into it too much. You’ve got to stick to what you believe and how you approach every day.”

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Celebrini didn’t wear a letter for the Sharks at any point last season. There’s an argument to be made that he deserves to be part of the leadership group.

“I want to feel comfortable and to be myself and speak up when I want to,” Celebrini said. “We have a couple Stanley Cup winners and guys who’ve been around for a long time. You respect their voices and what they have to say.”

The Sharks’ next preseason game will be on Friday, where Celebrini could make his preseason debut.

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