The San Jose Sharks surprised no one and selected former Boston University center Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday night in Las Vegas. Celebrini was widely expected to be the top pick in the draft.
Celebrini, who hails from North Vancouver, Canada, was one of the top players in college hockey during the 2023-24 campaign, leading the Terriers to a berth in the Frozen Four. Celebrini finished second in the country last season with 64 total points, good for 1.68 a game. He also finished second in the nation with 32 goals on the season, nearly one per game.
For his stellar freshman season, Celebrini took home the Hobey Baker award, given out annually to the top individual player in college hockey.
If there’s one area Celebrini can and likely will improve, it’s in the faceoff circle. He ranked No. 57 among qualified players in faceoff wins last season, winning them at a 53.5% rate. But the center turned 18 on June 13 and will surely continue to add muscle and bulk onto his currently slender 6-foot, 190-pound frame. More strength and seasoning should help the dominant goal scorer excel at the draw.
In a final draft projection, ESPN’s Rachel Doerrie was rather succinct in her write up of Celebrini, suspecting he won’t be sticking around with the Sharks’ AHL affiliate for very long.
“If the stitching of the name bar on the back of the San Jose Sharks sweater isn’t done already, I’d be shocked,” Doerrie said. “Celebrini is a franchise cornerstone. It is only a matter of time before the San Jose Jr. Shark formally becomes a San Jose Shark.”
Connecticut’s governor would be open to the NHL returning
In the summer of 2023, Connecticut governor Ned Lamont expressed his desire to have the NHL ship the Arizona Coyotes — then eying a relocation — to Hartford, Connecticut, formerly home of the iconic Whalers franchise.
The Coyotes have since announced a move to Utah for the time being, but Lamont’s comments at the time would indicate Connecticut would be open for business for an NHL team so long as he is governor.
“This is a great hockey state and a great hockey town,” Lamont said, via the Associated Press. “It’s evidenced by the passion we have for the Whalers going back years — still one of the best selling jerseys. I think we can guarantee them a very strong market right here. And a government that’s ready to come and be their partner.”
Connecticut has been out of the NHL since the Whalers left for Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1997. The Whalers became the Carolina Hurricanes after the relocation. The Connecticut Sun of the WNBA remain the lone professional sports franchise in the state. The Sun play in a 10,000-seat venue not built for hockey.
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