Macklin Celebrini Has Taken Over the Olympics

One of the most interesting aspects of Team Canada at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics is the emergence of Macklin Celebrini. He's absolutely dominating the play. And what a joy to watch.

At just 19, with a June 2006 birthday, he’s already leading the men’s hockey tournament in goals with five. He’s not just putting up numbers—he’s rewriting the record books. He's the youngest player ever for Team Canada at the Olympics, the top-scoring teen in Olympic men’s hockey history, and the first NHLer to take a penalty shot this tournament.

Team Canada Trusts Celebrini to Play with Connor McDavid.

But what really gets you is how he shows up when it matters. He’s skating alongside Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. He's jumping into the thick of the action, scoring in games where Canada’s winning big, and then delivering in tight moments too.

During Canada's overtime win over Czechia, Celebrini had a goal and two assists. He helped Canada punch its ticket into the semis. Then, in the semi-finals, he showed up time and time again with solid play and contributions to the team. For someone so young, that’s nuts. He’s not hanging back; he’s shaping games.

Celebrini: Sharks’ No. 1 Pick and Rising Fast.

This isn’t some one-off, either. He was the No. 1 pick by the Sharks in 2024 after winning the Hobey Baker at Boston University as a teenager. His rookie NHL season was pretty solid with 63 points in 70 games. He was a Calder finalist.

But this season—2025-26—he’s gone next-level. He's now put up 81 points in 55 games, which places him in the top five of the NHL. Seeing him take that form to the Olympics against the world’s best is when you realize he’s not just promising, he’s for real.

And the best part? He looks completely unshakable. No panic, no overthinking. Whether it’s McDavid or MacKinnon on the ice with him, he’s calm, makes the right reads, and finishes plays. He’s got speed, poise, vision—it all just clicks. Even his dad, Rick Celebrini, who’s known for being big in sports performance, can’t hide how impressed he is.

The Bottom Line: Celebrini Has Arrived Big Time

Bottom line: Celebrini has arrived. He’s no longer “the kid with potential.” He’s producing, he’s making a mark, and if Canada grabs gold, this is going to be the name everyone talks about. Sharks fans, buckle up—this ride is just getting started.