Celebrini vs. Bedard: More Than Just a Matchup, It’s a Mutual Masterclass in Growth
When Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard hit the ice Monday night in Chicago, it wasn’t just a game between the Sharks and Blackhawks. It was a quiet collision of two of hockey’s brightest young stars - the No. 1 picks from 2024 and 2025, childhood friends from North Vancouver, and now, rivals on the NHL stage.
But don’t expect either of them to hype it up. Ask them about the matchup, and they’ll downplay it like seasoned vets.
“I think it’s Blackhawks vs. Sharks,” Bedard said, brushing aside any added drama. “Looking forward to seeing him off the ice, saying hi, but just another game.”
Celebrini echoed the same energy, even with San Jose chasing a playoff spot: “Tonight, we don’t need to get up any more than we already need to for other reasons. Obviously, a good friend… played on the same team for a year. It’ll be a lot of fun.”
That’s the thing about these two. While fans and media might circle the date on the calendar, for Bedard and Celebrini, it’s just hockey - a shared passion that started years ago on rinks back home and continues to evolve in the spotlight.
Summers in North Van: The Quiet Arms Race
The bond between them isn’t just about draft status or NHL headlines - it’s rooted in years of skating, training, and pushing each other behind the scenes. This past summer, the two trained together in North Vancouver, a setup that felt more like a chess match than a workout.
“It’s obviously [good] having a guy like that in the summers to battle against and pick some things out from,” Celebrini said. “Pretty special talent in what he does.”
Bedard, always thoughtful about the process, appreciated the chance to measure himself against someone equally driven. “It’s fun to compete against great players and just see what guys do in the summer and how they approach everything.”
But it wasn’t just about skill drills or conditioning. It was about observing the details - the habits, the routines, the mindset.
Celebrini noticed it right away: “His attention to what he was doing, and the purpose of his plan over the summer… he thought a lot about it. It shows, just the stuff that he put into it, the work and the effort.”
Bedard returned the compliment: “His commitment to the game and to getting better and stuff. None of this is by accident.
How great he is. He puts in the time and the work and really doesn’t cheat it.”
They weren’t just skating together - they were learning from one another. Trading notes, bouncing ideas, and maybe even stealing a move or two. But as Celebrini put it, “not too much.”
Handling the Hype: Different Paths, Same Pressure
If there’s one area where their journeys diverged, it’s in the spotlight. Bedard’s been on hockey’s radar since he was 12 - the “next one” long before he could drive. Celebrini’s rise came later, exploding onto the scene at 16 with the Chicago Steel.
“He had that pin on him when he was a kid: The next big thing,” Celebrini said of Bedard. “I don’t know how he dealt with it when he was 12, 13, 14.”
Did Bedard offer any advice when Celebrini’s star started to rise?
“Maybe right when he got drafted, like a tiny bit, but not really,” Bedard said.
That’s the thing - neither of them dwell on the noise. They’ve grown up in the age of social media, highlight reels, and endless comparisons, but both have learned to tune it out.
“We’re both focused on the right things,” Bedard said. “He’s just worried about his game and helping his team win.”
Celebrini agreed: “He knows how to handle it, and he’s obviously having a great year.”
And when you strip it all down - the hype, the headlines, the expectations - the love of the game is still the core.
“I’m just playing hockey, coming to the rink every day and having fun,” Bedard said.
Comparisons? Let the Fans Talk
Naturally, with two elite young talents entering the league back-to-back, the comparisons are inevitable. But neither player’s interested in playing that game.
“It’s good for the game to have that,” Bedard said. “For us, it doesn’t matter. We’re just playing hockey, trying to be the best version of ourselves, and trying to help our teams win.”
Celebrini added: “It’s obviously good for the league, and good for you guys to debate and have those conversations. We like competing against each other… I don’t think either of us compare each other to the other.”
In fact, there’s a genuine sense of support between them - a rare dynamic in a league built on rivalries.
“I’m rooting for him to do well,” Bedard said. “We’re both our own people, our own players. I work on my game, I’m not comparing myself too much to other guys.”
The Bigger Picture
Monday night’s game may not have featured any dramatic stare-downs or highlight-reel duels between Bedard and Celebrini, but that’s not really the point. What we’re witnessing is the early chapter of a relationship that could define a generation of NHL hockey - not just as rivals, but as two players who elevate each other.
They’re not chasing headlines. They’re chasing greatness - quietly, deliberately, and with a mutual respect that’s as rare as their talent.
And if this is just the beginning? Hockey fans are in for something special.