Aiden Celebrini is heading back to Boston University for one more NCAA season, but before that, the Vancouver Canucks prospect is using development camp for exactly what he says it should be: a place to get better.
Among the 25 prospects at Canucks development camp this year, Celebrini stands out as the most experienced. The 21-year-old defenceman is at his fourth straight camp after Vancouver drafted him in 2023, and he’s taking another turn through the organization’s development program before beginning his fourth and final season at Boston University.
Celebrini made it clear that the point of camp isn’t to chase a roster spot. It’s about sharpening the edges of his game.
"I know it's such a cliche, but learn," said Celebrini. "You're not making the team from development camp.
You're here to work on your game, and that's what the coaches and staff emphasize. That's what they do such a great job on.
It's not a trial camp. It's not trying to win a spot.
It's trying to better yourself as a player. So that when you are ready to make that step, you're best prepared, and you're going into it with the best tools you possibly can."
That mindset fits where Celebrini is in his path. He has played 102 games over the last three seasons at Boston University, and the 2026-27 season will be his final year in the NCAA. The right-shot defender plans to turn pro for the 2027-28 season, and he says the biggest thing he’s carrying into that last college run is confidence.
"I think confidence is the biggest thing. Definitely gone through a roller coaster of an NCAA career.
Overcame a lot of adversity through the years. I think coming into this final year, it's just about having confidence in my game and who I am, and it really isn't about the journey that brought you here.
It's about who you are moving forward. I think I don't envision myself as the player I was.
I envision myself as the player I'm going to be."
Boston University will also feature two more Canucks draft picks next season, with Caleb Malhotra and Niklas Aaram-Olsen both committed there under the new NCAA rule that allows CHL players to join the league. Celebrini said the change has already made the college game deeper and more competitive, and he sees it as a strong path for prospects preparing for pro hockey.
"It's been awesome. I mean, you see it in the NCAA.
The competition, there's so much more parity in the league now because so many different teams, it's so much deeper. It's so good for the league because of the influx of CHL players.
Guys being able to develop in the CHL. I know it was a big decision for me.
Trying to decide between the WHL and juniors and taking a longer route with the NCAA. For guys to be able to have that ability to play best on best in juniors and also at the next level in the NCAA.
It's awesome preparation for the pros. I'm really excited.
I was talking to both Caleb and Nick, and they're incredible kids, and I've known Caleb since he was very little. So, to see him develop and also to meet Nick.
Get to spend some time with them. It's going to be awesome."
Celebrini also has a familiar face from his college days already in the Canucks system: Tom Willander. The two spent two seasons together before Willander reached the NHL last year, and Celebrini had nothing but praise for his former teammate’s game and mentality.
"I love Tom. I'm always going to be rooting for him.
I think what stands out about him is just his confidence. He's confident in his decisions, and that leads to his execution on the ice.
And that leads to everybody being confident around him and confidently utilizing him. It starts with him.
He's a really good skater and a very talented kid. But I think the biggest thing about him is just his mental side.
He's got one of the best mentalities I've seen."
For the season ahead, Celebrini’s focus is split between team success and his own development. Winning a National Championship is the main goal, but he also wants to keep building speed, tightening up his video work and strengthening the mental side of his game.
"It's just honing my game. I think I've definitely spent some time in the off-season emphasizing my speed.
Getting faster. Definitely doing a lot of video work, just kind of working on rounding out the mental side, and just being a student of the game.
Everything I've heard from my brother (Macklin Celebrini) and some of my closest friends who have made that jump to the next level is that it's faster and smarter. Everybody knows where they need to be at all times.
Everybody executes. So, think that's just the biggest thing for me is just consistency and executing in everything."
Celebrini is expected to play a major role for Boston University this year, and with his experience, he could also grow into a leadership role next season. If his development keeps trending the way it has, his first pro contract could be waiting once his NCAA run ends.
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