San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini stood with a mix of pride and disappointment as an Olympic silver medal was placed around his neck at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. This wasn’t the outcome Team Canada’s youngest star had envisioned.
Celebrini and his Canadian teammates fell 2-1 to the United States in a nail-biting final. New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes sealed the victory for Team USA with a goal 1:41 into 3-on-3 overtime, marking the Americans' first gold in men’s hockey since the legendary 1980 Miracle on Ice.
The tournament, featuring NHL players for the first time since 2014, saw Celebrini shine brightly. He finished second in scoring with 10 points, earning the distinction of being the highest-scoring teenager in Olympic men’s hockey history. At just 19, he was named to the Olympic all-tournament team, leading all skaters with five goals.
Despite these accolades, the sting of the loss was palpable for the fiercely competitive Celebrini.
“We always believed in ourselves,” Celebrini reflected. “We had plenty of chances, I had plenty of chances. In those moments, you have to capitalize, and I didn’t.”
Throughout the Games, Celebrini evolved from a rising NHL star into a player with a significant international profile, solidifying his status among the game’s elite. He fit seamlessly alongside Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, the NHL’s leading scorer, often playing in Canada’s most critical moments.
In a pivotal moment before Hughes’ game-winning goal, Celebrini was on the ice with Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner. The duo had previously combined for an overtime goal that pushed Canada past Czechia in the quarterfinals.
Canadian forward Nathan MacKinnon joined McDavid and Celebrini early in the tournament, playing right wing. “Playing with the best player in the world (McDavid), and maybe the second-best, in Macklin, was a lot of fun,” MacKinnon noted.
As Celebrini approaches his 20th birthday, his world is set to change. With the massive viewership of Sunday’s game, his visibility is bound to increase. Expectations for both him and the Sharks are on the rise, and his performance could make San Jose a more appealing destination for free agents.
The chemistry between Celebrini and McDavid has already sparked speculation about McDavid potentially joining the Sharks when he becomes a free agent in 2028. Time will tell.
“If you want to see a special talent, come watch the Sharks,” said Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky. “There’s a buzz around the area. People back home are staying up to watch us, and Mack’s a big part of that.”
Reflecting on the game, Celebrini and the Canadians felt they let it slip away, outshooting the Americans 42-28, including 33-18 in the final two periods.
Celebrini had two prime scoring chances on a power play late in the third period, and MacKinnon missed a wide-open net. American goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s 41 saves were crucial, including a memorable one on Devon Toews with the knob of his stick.
“(Hellebuyck) was our best player by a mile,” said winger Matt Boldy, who scored the opening goal. “He’s an absolute stud. He thrives in those moments.”
As Celebrini processes his Olympic experience, he’ll likely remember both the challenges and the triumphs, setting the stage for his future with the Sharks, the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, and the 2030 Winter Olympics in France.
The journey ahead is exciting, even as Sunday’s loss lingers. “We went through a lot,” Celebrini said. “We’ll remember this time, but it’s more motivation than celebration.”