Jon Cooper, the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Team Canada, spoke to reporters before the Lightning played the San Jose Sharks about Macklin Celebirni.

Cooper will be behind the bench for Team Canada and will have the opportunity to coach the Sharks’ superstar. Here is a complete transcript of the pregame interview from one of the best coaches in the world.

Cooper said he hasn’t had a chance to speak to the Sharks’ top center since the roster was announced, but plans to following Saturday’s game.

What have you seen from Celebrini from afar?

A lot of what you see is on paper, and when you’re playing three time zones away, you don’t get to see as often. Now, naturally, it’s a different scenario, because trying to watch a lot of players in this league, but it’s impressive. First of all, that organization is chomping at a playoff spot, and really come a long way. Their staff has done a phenomenal job with this team, but it’s eye-opening to see what he has, 62 points? What does the next player have? 29 or something like that? That’s a massive gap, and he’s at least plus 13.

That’s the one thing I’m looking at as well. Not only is he producing points, and sure, he gets power play points, but he’s on the right side of defending as well. For somebody of his age to take the step he’s made in one year is quite remarkable. I got a peek at it at the World Championships to see when you’re playing semi-best on best, and he didn’t disappoint.

Good on him, because I think when you’re that age, it’s probably that things are working against you, because of whether it’s the maturity, or whatever you want to say. And he overcame all those odds and really earned his spot on that team.

How similar is Celebrini to Sidney Crosby in the way they go about their business?

The way they go about things is very similar. They’re pros, they’re dedicated, but what I really probably appreciate about Macklin the most is that he’s a wide-eyed kid who is respectful, smiling, [and] he understands what he’s doing. His personality shines. I’m looking forward to being behind the bench with him, because you see the competitive drive and everything he has on the ice, but off the ice, it was a pleasure to be around.

Last year, you lined him up against your best defensive forwards. Where has the San Jose Sharks star grown the most?

Well, maturity. I think the team’s grown as well. Everything has progressed and the way it should be. I don’t know. I don’t want to call San Jose in the rebuild last year, but now they’re taking steps forward. When you’re knocking on the door of a playoff spot in one year, somebody’s got to lead the way. And it’s 71. You circle his name when you’re playing San Jose, and we only get to see them twice a year, but he’s a threat.

Coaches say young players don’t like to defend, but Celebrini has and loves to be coached. What does that say about him?

Players, nobody likes to play defense. That’s the hard part, finding those guys. When you grow up playing with the puck, and then when it actually gets to a game, you find out you don’t have it on your stick that often the great players do more than others, but when it comes down to it, you know, certain players can get you the one goal lead, but then aren’t on the ice protecting that lead. The great ones you’ll find will be on the ice when they’re behind a goal and when they’re up a goal. Macklin has found himself to be that guy.

At 19, has Celebrini always been in the mix to play for Team Canada?

We had our camp in Calgary, you know, it’s a 42-man, bring everybody in, get them acclimated with each other, and go through the Olympic testing. And Macklin was one of them. So, I guess the answer would be yes.

Could Celebrini be generational?

That’s hard to say. Could he be generational? I truly think he can be. There’s a group of players [around] his age, I think there’s one playing in Chicago right now that is right with him. I don’t want to say it’s a young man’s League, but there are some young stars in this league that are just budding right now, and I think Macklin is leading the way.

Have you thought about where Celebrini might play, and could it be with Crosby again?

That’s hard to say right now. I’d love to give you an answer, but we’ve put guys in different scenarios. I got to talk to some of these players, too, and get a little bit better feel for them. But anything’s possible. Like I said, in worlds, he was a good fit with Sid, for sure.

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