Macklin Celebrini’s remarkable rise has reached another milestone.
The San Jose Sharks named the 20-year-old center their new captain Friday, making him the youngest active captain in the NHL and the youngest player ever to wear the captain’s “C” for the Sharks.
The announcement comes less than two months after Celebrini agreed to a five-year, $94 million contract carrying an $18.8 million annual average value.
San Jose had been without a captain since Logan Couture announced his retirement on April 15, 2025.
Celebrini said receiving the captaincy was a major honor, while also emphasizing that he doesn’t intend to change the way he approaches the game.
Celebrini Embraces Leadership Role
Although Celebrini will now wear the captain’s jersey, he stressed that leadership within the Sharks won’t rest entirely on his shoulders.
The young center pointed to the team’s developing culture and the experienced players around him as important sources of leadership. He said players who have been part of successful teams can help guide a group that is still trying to take the next step.
The Sharks also marked the occasion in a special way.
Former San Jose captain Joe Thornton presented Celebrini with his No. 71 jersey following Friday’s practice. Thornton and his family have a particularly close connection with Celebrini after the young forward lived with them during his rookie season in 2024-25.
Celebrini said Thornton’s family holds a special place in his life because of the way they welcomed him and supported him during his first NHL season.
Grier Points to Celebrini’s Work Ethic
General manager Mike Grier described the captaincy as a reflection of Celebrini’s character and commitment.
Grier said that becoming a leader requires more than talent. In his view, a captain needs to consistently show up, work hard and demonstrate the behavior expected from teammates.
He pointed to Celebrini’s preparation during training camp, noting that the young center has been putting in extra work and pushing himself and the rest of the group.
Celebrini’s performance on the ice certainly supports the attention he’s receiving.
Last season, his second in the NHL, he finished fourth in League scoring with 115 points, including 45 goals and 70 assists, across all 82 games.
Through his first two NHL seasons, Celebrini has accumulated 178 points — 70 goals and 108 assists — in 152 regular-season games.
A Busy Year for the Young Star
The past year has been especially eventful for Celebrini.
He represented Canada at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, producing 10 points with five goals and five assists in six games.
He later received another leadership opportunity when Canada named him captain for the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland.
Celebrini recorded 14 points in 10 games at the tournament, scoring six goals and adding eight assists. Canada ultimately finished fourth after losing the bronze-medal game 3-2 in overtime to Norway.
Playing alongside veteran Canadian stars also gave Celebrini an opportunity to learn from established leaders, including Sidney Crosby, John Tavares and Ryan O’Reilly.
Celebrini’s Rise Continues
Celebrini’s achievements haven’t been limited to international and NHL competition.
In July, the IIHF named him its Male Player of the Year, and EA Sports selected him as the cover athlete for NHL 27.
His five-year contract with San Jose also briefly held the NHL’s highest annual average value at $18.8 million before Colorado defenseman Cale Makar signed an eight-year, $163.2 million extension worth $20.4 million annually on Aug. 28.
Grier said the Sharks wanted Celebrini to feel properly valued while still leaving the organization enough financial flexibility to continue building around him.
Celebrini enters his third NHL season after serving as an alternate captain last year. Now, he’ll take over as the primary leader of a San Jose team attempting to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
The Sharks open their regular season at home against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 1.
With Celebrini now wearing the “C,” San Jose has placed one of the most prominent leadership roles in franchise history on the shoulders of its young star.
