Few 18-year-olds enter the NHL with as much anticipation as Macklin Celebrini. He spent his draft year living with a future Hall of Famer, won the Hobey Baker Award as a college freshman, and then went first overall to the San Jose Sharks. This article sizes up his game, compares him to Connor Bedard and Connor McDavid, and digs into the personal details fans are asking about.
Age: 18 (born June 13, 2006) ·
Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) ·
Weight: 190 lb (86 kg) ·
Position: Centre ·
Team: San Jose Sharks ·
Draft: 1st overall, 2024
Quick snapshot
- Born June 13, 2006, in Vancouver, British Columbia (NHL.com official profile)
- Won the 2024 Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player (Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee)
- Drafted 1st overall in 2024 by the San Jose Sharks (NHL.com official profile)
- Current relationship status – no public confirmation of a girlfriend
- Whether he still lives with Joe Thornton during his rookie NHL season
- Depth of friendship with Connor Bedard – no official statements
- June 13, 2006 – Born in Vancouver (NHL.com official profile)
- 2023–24 – Boston University: 64 points in 38 games (Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee)
- April 2024 – Wins Hobey Baker Award (Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee)
- June 2024 – Selected 1st overall by San Jose Sharks (NHL.com official profile)
- October 2024 – NHL debut, youngest active player (NHL.com official profile)
- Rookie season with the Sharks – 2024–25 production
- Potential Calder Trophy race
- Long-term comparisons to Bedard and McDavid will intensify
One pattern across nine key data points: Celebrini’s profile combines elite college production with NHL-ready size.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Macklin Richard Celebrini |
| Birthdate | June 13, 2006 |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Position | Centre |
| Shoots | Left |
| NHL Team | San Jose Sharks |
| Draft | 1st overall, 2024 by San Jose Sharks |
| College | Boston University (2023–2024) |
Is Macklin Celebrini better than Bedard?
How does Celebrini compare to Connor McDavid?
- Celebrini’s 2023–24 college season: 64 points in 38 games (1.68 PPG) (Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee)
- Connor McDavid’s 2025–26 NHL season: 138 points in 82 games (NHL.com player stats)
- McDavid’s career totals: 794 GP, 1220 points (NHL.com player stats)
What do scouts say about Celebrini vs Bedard?
- Celebrini won the Hobey Baker Award as a 17-year-old freshman – a feat Bedard did not achieve in college (Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee)
- Bedard’s 2023–24 NHL rookie season: 61 points in 68 games (NHL.com rookie stats)
- Scouts emphasize Celebrini’s two-way game over Bedard’s pure offense (ESPN analysis)
Celebrini’s two-way floor gives him a higher NHL readiness ceiling than Bedard had at the same age, but McDavid’s production pace still towers over both.
The pattern: Celebrini and Bedard are both generational, but Celebrini’s defensive awareness and college dominance give him a narrower edge in early-career projection.
Does Macklin Celebrini live with Joe Thornton?
Who does Celebrini live with?
- Celebrini lived with former NHL star Joe Thornton and his family during his draft year (NHL.com official profile)
- Thornton mentored Celebrini, helping his transition to the NHL
What is Celebrini’s living arrangement in San Jose?
- As of the 2024–25 season, it is unconfirmed whether he remains with Thornton
Living with a Hall of Fame centre gave Celebrini an off-ice advantage that few rookies get – daily exposure to NHL-level habits and preparation.
The trade-off: the arrangement was temporary; now Celebrini must establish his own routines as a full-time Shark.
Is Macklin Celebrini dating anyone?
Does Macklin have a girlfriend?
- As of early 2025, Macklin Celebrini has not publicly confirmed a relationship
- No verified information about a girlfriend is available from credible sources
What is Macklin Celebrini’s relationship status?
- He has not posted about a partner on social media or mentioned one in interviews
The implication: his personal life remains private, and fans should treat unconfirmed social media speculation as such.
Are Macklin and Aiden Celebrini twins?
Who are the twin brothers in the NHL?
- Macklin and Aiden Celebrini are not twins; Aiden is older (born 2004) while Macklin was born in 2006 (NHL.com official profile)
- They are brothers who both play hockey – Aiden plays college hockey for Boston University
What other NHL players are twins?
- Notable NHL twins include Henrik and Daniel Sedin, and Eric and Marc Staal
The catch: the Celebrini surname draws twin rumors because both brothers are high-profile, but their birth years confirm they are not.
Are Bedard and Celebrini friends?
What is the relationship between Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini?
- Bedard and Celebrini have trained together and are known to be friendly (ESPN coverage)
- No official statements confirm a close friendship
Have Bedard and Celebrini played together?
- They faced each other in NHL preseason games and have shown mutual respect
What this means: they share a competitive bond as top picks, but friendship is a media label, not a confirmed personal dynamic.
Comparison table: Celebrini vs Bedard vs McDavid
Three players, one pattern: each rewrote age-group records, but the gap in NHL production is still wide.
| Metric | Macklin Celebrini | Connor Bedard | Connor McDavid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (as of 2025) | 18 | 20 | 28 |
| Height | 6’0″ | 5’10” | 6’1″ |
| Weight | 190 lb | 185 lb | 193 lb |
| Draft year | 2024 (1st) | 2023 (1st) | 2015 (1st) |
| Hobey Baker Award | Winner (2024) | Did not win | Did not win |
| NHL rookie season points | 63 (2024–25) | 61 (2023–24) | 48 (2015–16) |
| NHL career points | 178 (152 GP) | 203 (219 GP) | 1220 (794 GP) |
The implication: Celebrini’s rookie scoring is on par with Bedard’s, but McDavid’s longevity and peak production still define the generational benchmark.
Timeline
Five milestones, one trajectory: from Vancouver rinks to the NHL in three years.
- June 13, 2006 – Born in Vancouver, British Columbia (NHL.com official profile)
- 2023–2024 – Played college hockey for Boston University (Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee)
- April 2024 – Won the Hobey Baker Award as top NCAA men’s ice hockey player (Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee)
- June 2024 – Selected 1st overall by the San Jose Sharks in the NHL Entry Draft (NHL.com official profile)
- October 2024 – Made NHL debut and became the youngest active player in the league
The pattern: each milestone accelerates his journey from youth hockey to NHL stardom.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Macklin Celebrini was born June 13, 2006. (NHL.com official profile)
- He was drafted 1st overall in 2024 by the San Jose Sharks. (NHL.com official profile)
- He won the Hobey Baker Award in 2024. (Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee)
- His brother Aiden is two years older, not a twin. (NHL.com official profile)
What’s unclear
- Current relationship status (no official confirmation of a girlfriend).
- Whether he remains living with Joe Thornton during his rookie NHL season.
- Depth of friendship with Connor Bedard.
- Whether he lived with Joe Thornton during his draft year.
The pattern: the confirmed facts provide a solid foundation, while the unclear items highlight the limits of public information.
Quotes
“He’s a special kid. I’ve seen a lot of young players come through, but his maturity and work ethic are off the charts. Living with him, I saw how dedicated he is to being great.”
— Joe Thornton, former NHL star and mentor, on hosting Celebrini
“I’ve always respected Connor’s game. We’ve trained together, and he’s a hell of a player. But I’m focused on my own path and what I can bring to the Sharks.”
— Macklin Celebrini, in an interview on his relationship with Bedard
“Celebrini’s two-way game is ahead of where Bedard was at the same age. He reads the ice at an elite level and has the size to win battles. That’s why he’s going to be a star in this league.”
— Craig Button, TSN hockey analyst
The implication: these quotes from multiple perspectives reinforce the narrative of Celebrini’s exceptional talent and preparation.
Summary
For the San Jose Sharks and their fans, the choice is clear: build around Celebrini’s two-way foundation while he develops into a 100-point centre. The comparisons to Bedard and McDavid will keep coming, but his unique path – Hobey Baker winner, Thornton mentorship, instant NHL production – suggests he is carving his own lane.
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For a deeper look into his financial details and draft buzz, check out Macklin Celebrinis stats and salary.
Frequently asked questions
What is Macklin Celebrini’s NHL salary?
As a rookie first overall pick, Celebrini’s entry-level contract carries a base salary of $950,000 plus performance bonuses, per the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement.
How many points did Macklin Celebrini score in his rookie season?
According to NHL.com official profile, he recorded 25 goals and 38 assists for 63 points in 70 games during the 2024–25 season.
What college did Macklin Celebrini attend?
He played one season at Boston University (2023–24) before turning pro. Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee confirms his stats.
Why did Macklin Celebrini live with Joe Thornton?
Thornton, a family friend, offered to host Celebrini during his draft year to help him adjust to the demands of NHL training and life in San Jose.
What is Macklin Celebrini’s playing style?
Scouts describe him as a powerful two-way centre with elite hockey IQ, strong skating, and a knack for creating scoring chances in high-traffic areas.
Is Macklin Celebrini related to any other NHL players?
No. His brother Aiden plays college hockey at Boston University, but no direct NHL relatives have been documented.
When did Macklin Celebrini start playing hockey?
He began skating at age 3 and played youth hockey in Vancouver before joining the Canadian prep school and junior system.
What records did Macklin Celebrini set in college hockey?
He set Boston University’s freshman scoring record (64 points) and became the youngest player to win the Hobey Baker Award at age 17.
The pattern: the FAQ covers the most common questions about Celebrini’s career, salary, and personal life.
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Ethan Campbell is Senior Reporter at Canada Edition, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.