The Making of Macklin Celebrini

VANCOUVER – If you could create the perfect hockey prospect from scratch, Macklin Celebrini might be it.

The San Jose Sharks rookie loves the game and the work that goes into becoming the best at it.

He has the skill, smarts and desire to become an elite two-way center, a potential Hart and Selke Trophy winner all in one.

He is a team player and a future captain.

Of course, the 18-year-old wasn’t made in a lab.

The North Vancouver native is the product of loving and supportive parents Rick and Robyn, the coaches at the local North Shore Winter Club, his own hard work and much more.

And now Celebrini is home.

On Monday, Celebrini will play in his hometown for the first time as an NHL player, with his San Jose Sharks taking on the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.

San Jose Hockey Now caught up with Celebrini and four of his youth coaches, David Beaupre, Jon Calvano, Billy Coupland and Cole Todd, to understand what went into selecting the 2024 first overall pick.

They shared stories about Celebrini and his surprise departure from a top youth team, how he was a dominant defender as a child, how the San Jose Sharks star gives back to North Shore Winter Club players and more.

SJHN also visited the veritable hockey factory, NSWC, where Celebrini grew up as a player and coach. Connor Bedard, Joe Sakic, Brett Hull and Paul Kariya are among the many future pros who have skated there.

“I don’t know anyone who loves ice hockey more”

Billy Coupland coached his son Ty and Macklin for four or five years: Firstly, he loves the game.

Cole Todd, who coached Celebrini from age 10 to 12, still works with him in the summer: I don’t know anyone who loves hockey more than Mack. His love for the game is infectious.

Macklin Celebrini: It’s fun and something I’ve done my whole life. Growing up, I was happiest and just having fun playing when I was on the ice. At this age you don’t train or work on things. You just play shinny, one on one, two on two, three on three. It was always a place I wanted to be for some reason. I had a lot of fun being out there.