Top NHL prospect playing in Buffalo and feels no rush to turn pro

BUFFALO, NEW YORK – JUNE 7: Macklin Celebrini speaks during the Top Prospects media availability during the NHL Combine at LECOM Harborcenter on June 7, 2024 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes/NHLI via Getty Images)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Macklin Celebrini has a pretty good idea his NHL future lies with the San Jose Sharks, who hold the top pick in the draft.

“There’s never really any shame or there’s nothing wrong with taking your time and getting a little bit better,” Celebrini said at the pre-NHL scouting huddle Friday, reiterating that It is not yet determined whether he will return to BU for a second season. “So I feel like, in that way, another year would benefit me, just to prepare myself more physically and to make sure that I’m very fit and strong when I try to make that jump. “

For now, the 17-year-old center – he turns 18 on Thursday – who is coming off a celebrated freshman season at Boston University is in no rush to get there just yet.

Besides who will be taken second overall, with the consensus split between Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov and Medicine Hat center Cayden Lindstrom, Celebrini’s plans for next season represent the biggest question mark heading into the draft two-day event, which opens June 28 at The Sphere. in Las Vegas.

Not only is Celebrini the projected No. 1 pick by NHL Central Scouting, but San Jose general manager Mike Grier, the former Sabers forward, expressed his intention to select the Terriers player immediately after that the Sharks won the NHL draft last month.

“It’s a great hockey moment for the organization and the fans here to have the opportunity to draft someone like Macklin,” Grier said at the time. And the second-year general manager didn’t dampen his beliefs in praising the player when asked about Celebrini earlier in the week at the combine.

As the youngest player in college hockey last season, the 6-foot, 190-pound Celebrini won the Hobey Baker as the nation’s top player, as well as Hockey East player and All-Rookie honors. year. He finished second in the country with 32 goals and third with 64 points in 38 games.

Another bonus to Grier’s rebuilding plans for a team that finished last overall is Celebrini’s ties to the Bay Area. Although originally from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Celebrini’s father, Rick, is vice president of player health and performance for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, and the youngster spent a year playing for the Sharks junior team.

Celebrini enjoyed his interview with the Sharks, as well as his dinner with Grier, who also played at Boston University.

Despite the connections and discussions, Celebrini takes nothing for granted.

“At the end of the day, you never know what’s going to happen, and I don’t think I’m too far ahead of myself,” he said. “So for now, I’m just going to enjoy the last few days of the combine and enjoy this experience.”

The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to pick second, followed by Anaheim, Columbus and Montreal.

Unlike last year’s top-heavy forward class, led by Connor Bedard, who became number one in Chicago, this year’s crop of prospects includes four defensemen among the top seven North American skaters on the Bureau’s list. screening center. The group is led by Belarus native Levshunov and includes San Diego native Zeev Buium.

Buium had the distinction of helping the United States win gold at the World Junior Championships this year and then helping Denver win an NCAA title in April.

“I’ve obviously been very fortunate to be a part of two really good teams and meet a lot of great guys,” said the 6-foot, 183-pound Buium. “They were two great experiences. »

At 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, Levshunov was the Big Ten’s rookie and defensive player of the year, and finished eighth in the nation among blue lines with 35 points (nine goals, 26 assists) in 38 games.

The Central Scouting Bureau’s best international player is also Russian defender Anton Silayev. Standing at 6-foot-7 and 211 pounds, the 18-year-old recorded three goals and 11 points in 63 games during his rookie season with the Novgorod Torpedo of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Celebrini spent last season playing with his older brother, Aiden, who is also a defenseman and was selected by Vancouver in the sixth round of last year’s draft. At BU, he is coached by former NHL forward Jay Pandolfo.

Celebrini drew laughs when discussing his match against Boston College’s Will Smith last season: “Every time we played him, he lit us up,” he said. The two will likely be teammates after the Sharks selected Smith with the fourth pick in last year’s draft.

As for the best advice he ever received, Celebrini didn’t hesitate.

“Probably, stay present. I’ve been told that time flies,” Celebrini said. “Before you know it, it’s like it’s five years later.”