Sharks star Macklin Celebrini has been lighting up the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, and it's no surprise that his impressive performance has caught the eye of his Bay Area neighbors. At just 19, Celebrini is already making waves on the ice, a feat that's especially thrilling for the Golden State Warriors, given his father Rick's role as their director of sports medicine and performance since 2018.
This family connection has turned the Warriors into honorary fans of Team Canada over the past couple of weeks. Celebrini has been on fire, scoring five goals and adding five assists in just five games. Warriors coach Steve Kerr shared his excitement during an interview with 95.7 The Game's "Willard and Dibs" show.
"It's been a blast for all of us, especially for Rick and his family to watch Macklin," Kerr said. "This morning, as we were prepping for our film session, the Canada game was tied 2-2 in the final minutes.
The whole team was glued to the screen. When they scored, we all went wild.
We're thrilled for Macklin, Rick, and their family."
Rick has been in Milan to support his son, but Kerr mentioned they've been in daily contact. Despite the early start for Sunday's gold medal game against the U.S., Kerr confirmed he'll be watching. When asked about his rooting interest, Kerr diplomatically replied, "I love my country, and I love the Celebrini family."
Kerr couldn't resist some playful banter about Rick Celebrini, praising Macklin's rapid rise in hockey.
"It's fun seeing Rick and the family in the stands, the joy and pride on their faces," Kerr noted. "Macklin's on the ice a lot during crucial moments, which is remarkable at 19.
It's impressive how he's become so trusted and skilled so quickly, especially given his upbringing. Thank goodness for Robyn Celebrini-she clearly did all the work!"
Drawing from his experience with legends like Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, and Steph Curry, Kerr offered insight into what makes Celebrini special.
"Macklin's got that rare mix of incredible talent and leadership," Kerr explained. "At 19, he just gets it.
It usually takes years to mature, to learn how to compete and treat teammates right. Not to make a direct Steph comparison, but that's what it takes to be a superstar.
It's not just talent; it's the intangibles, and Macklin has them."
Warriors players echoed Kerr's sentiments. Gary Payton II drew comparisons between Celebrini and hockey legends like Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, and Alex Ovechkin.
"Five a.m., go watch Mack," Payton urged the Bay Area. "Everybody wake up and watch him."
Moses Moody also praised Celebrini's quiet confidence and competitiveness.
"He's got that look in his eye," Moody said. "He's a thinker more than a talker, precise in everything he does."
In short, the Warriors, many of whom boast NBA championships, are looking up to a teenager who not long ago was just a kid running around their facility. Celebrini's journey is one to watch, as he continues to carve out his legacy on the ice.