San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini is emerging as one of the NHL’s standout young talents this season, and his early success has vaulted him into serious consideration for a spot on Team Canada’s Olympic roster for Milano Cortina 2026. While the possibility has been on his mind since the offseason, the 19-year-old said he’s keeping his focus on the ice rather than on roster predictions.
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Celebrini enters Thursday’s matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs with 43 points in 31 games, placing him third in the League and firmly on the radar of Canada’s Olympic management team. For a teenager still adjusting to the demands of his second NHL season, the recognition is significant.
In Toronto on Wednesday, he acknowledged the magnitude of the opportunity. He said earning a place on the national team is a dream “for every kid who grows up in Canada,” though he emphasized that roster decisions remain out of his control. Still, he admitted making the team would be “a huge honor.”
Team Canada’s leadership group recently held a three-day evaluation session in Florida, narrowing its player pool from more than 40 to roughly 30 candidates. Full rosters for all participating nations must be finalized by Dec. 31. When asked about Celebrini’s chances, general manager Doug Armstrong praised both the teenager and fellow young contender Connor Bedard, noting that their strong play comes as no surprise.
Celebrini was visibly moved when told of Armstrong’s comments, smiling as he said the support “means a lot.”
Part of Celebrini’s rapid development can be traced to the mentorship he’s received from two of hockey’s biggest icons: Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. Both superstars were among the first six players named to Canada’s Olympic roster in June and have spent time training and playing with Celebrini.
The trio first shared the ice during the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where Celebrini scored six points in eight games and finished with an impressive plus-9 rating. He later traveled to Nova Scotia to skate with Crosby and MacKinnon in offseason sessions that also included Sharks teammate Will Smith and Columbus forward Adam Fantilli.
Celebrini described the experience as “awesome,” crediting the veterans for setting an example in their daily habits and preparation. He called them “two legends” he looked up to as a kid.
Crosby, meanwhile, has been equally impressed by the young center’s work ethic, noting that Celebrini “works probably as hard as anybody” and has shown clear growth since the previous season. His strong start this year, Crosby said, is simply a continuation of his upward trajectory.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky has seen the same qualities firsthand. Although Warsofsky coached Team USA during last spring’s World Championship, he stayed in close contact with Canadian staff members, who echoed the praise for Celebrini’s performance. Warsofsky said his young center carries traits reminiscent of top players but ultimately has a style all his own.
“He’s got a little bit of everyone in him,” Warsofsky said. “But at the end of the day, Mack is Mack and we’re just going to let him be that.”
Despite his quiet demeanor, Celebrini insists his confidence is strong. He attributes his success to belief in his abilities and the work he puts in every day.
“I believe in myself,” he said. “I believe in what I can do.”
With his production, maturity, and growing reputation, Celebrini has positioned himself as a legitimate Olympic candidate. Whether he earns a place on Canada’s final roster remains to be seen, but one thing appears certain: he’s giving the decision-makers plenty to think about.