Macklin Celebrini Showing World Junior Stage Not Too Big

The World Junior Championship is not a 17-year-old tournament, and nobody expected Macklin Celebrini to do what Connor Bedard did last year. There is only one Connor Bedard. But through two games at the 2024 World Junior Championship, Macklin Celebrini is showing his skills as a 17-year-old can translate to a “19-year-old” tournament.

In the first two games for Team Canada, Celebrini has six points (two goals and four assists), including five points in a 10-0 victory for Canada over Latvia, earning him the Player of the Game honors. That five-point performance was two points shy of a single game record for Canada in a game that is co-held by Bedard, Dave Andrechuk, and Gabriel Bourque. In addition, Celerini’s six points lead the tournament.

Now, Celebrini, along with his teammates, should dominate Latvia. But he has been noticeable through two games, especially in the Finland game.

From the drop of the puck, Celebrini showed he’s not afraid to shoot the puck. That is what stood out at the Team Canada training camp before going over to Sweden. His nose for the net. That ability to find open space and get the pucks on the net made him stand out.

Macklin Celebrini, who is expected to go number one in the 2024 NHL Draft, has 25 points (10 goals and 15 assists) in 15 games with Boston University. So the skill and talent are there for such a young player in the tournament. What is impressive is that Celebrini is producing at such a high rate with a limited amount of ice time for Team Canada.

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You can see that Celebrini has a strong work ethic and understands what it takes to be a good player. He has the skill and talent, along with the vision to be a good hockey player on the next level. In the first game against Finland, he was everywhere. Though it took some time, after a review, he finally achieved his first goal of the tournament, which proved to be vital as Canada got breathing room in a 5-2 victory.

That goal was an example of him knowing where to go. Celebrini is not afraid to get to the middle of the ice and does not shy away from contact. As previously mentioned, when he had the chance, he shot the puck, too, with the so-called fourth line for Team Canada.

We saw his skill on display against Latvia. It was point night for the Canadians. But Celebrini was able to win draws, which led to Canada’s first goal. He has a great vision and understanding of the game. Celebrini knows where to go on the ice to get open, as we saw on his backhand goal to open things up in the second period. Not to mention, he is always trying to find that space to release his shot, similar to Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Having that Kobe Bryant Mamba Mentality will help him at the next level. But it is helping him right now because he knows he can always be better. You can see he has the talent to make it on the NHL level. Remember, he only turns 18 in June of 2024, so he can still develop even further before touching foot in the NHL.

But right now, Mackin Celebrini is doing what he’s supposed to be doing. Playing well for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.