Macklin Celebrini. Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Sharks HC shares Macklin Celebrini's status for season opener

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated Oct 7, 2024 4:35 PM ET

If you were holding your breath wondering if Macklin Celebrini would play NHL hockey this week, you can calmly exhale.

San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky has confirmed that the first overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft will suit up for Team Teal's season opener on Thursday, San Jose Mercury News writer Curtis Pashelka reported on Monday.

Celebrini was injured in a preseason tilt against the Utah Hockey Club last week, casting doubt on when his highly anticipated NHL career would officially get underway. After being considered day-to-day through the weekend, the 18-year-old returned to practice.

Macklin Celebrini has officially arrived in the Sharks locker room. Wasn’t in here for most of camp pic.twitter.com/npdBbZqGMt
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 7, 2024

Celebrini is projected to be the Sharks' top-line center to start the season. He is coming off of a Hobey Baker-winning campaign at Boston University where he registered 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) and a plus-25 in 38 collegiate hockey games.

San Jose hopes that elite talent will translate to the NHL ice — and fast. The Sharks finished dead last in the league standings last season after winning just 19 games over the 82-game campaign.

The Sharks host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday with puck drop scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET.

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