The San Jose Sharks have officially locked down their first-overall pick.
The club announced that it signed Macklin Celebrini to a three-year, entry-level contract on Saturday. The financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Celebrini had previously not made a determination on whether he'd make the jump to professional hockey next season or play another year at Boston University, where he won the Hobey Baker following the 2024 season.
Evidently, the Sharks persuaded him.
“It’s nice to be wanted,” he told reporters following his first day at development camp. “It’s been good. They were out there supporting today. From everything I’ve heard, they are some of the best fans in the league. I’m excited to start playing in front of them.”
In his freshman year with BU, Celebrini had 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points in just 38 games — a performance that earned him the top NCAA hockey player award.
“His combination of skills and hockey sense is rare, and we are extremely confident that he is ready to make the transition to being a full time NHL player," Sharks general manager said about Celebrini in a statement. "We could not be more excited to have Macklin locked in to formally join the Sharks organization for the 2024-25 season.”
The Sharks are at the tail-end of a years-long rebuild and Celebrini now joins a team that added Tyler Toffoli and Alex Wennberg, with prospects such as Will Smith ready to make the jump to the NHL, poised to take the next step in the 2024-25 season.
The Sharks' season-opener takes place Oct. 10 against the St. Louis Blues.
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