The San Jose Sharks made a significant move towards revitalizing their franchise by selecting Macklin Celebrini as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, held in Las Vegas. The event was a blend of hockey excitement and Vegas glamour, featuring appearances by Celine Dion, Michael Buffer, and former Sharks star Joe Thornton, who announced the selection of Celebrini.
Celebrini, an 18-year-old center from Boston University, has already made a name for himself by becoming the fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award, given to college hockey’s top player. He achieved this as the youngest player in the nation, scoring 34 goals and amassing 64 points in 38 games. His selection by the Sharks was anticipated, given his impressive performance and potential.
The young star has ties to the Bay Area, having played for the Junior Sharks program when his father, Rick Celebrini, was hired as the Golden State Warriors’ sports medicine director. “Just a surreal feeling,” Celebrini said about being the Sharks’ first No. 1 overall pick. “I’ve dreamed about this moment ever since I was a kid, and for it to come true, it’s just an amazing feeling.”
Celebrini’s future with the Sharks looks promising, although he remains undecided about returning to Boston University for another year. His addition deepens the Sharks’ prospect pool, which is crucial as the team is in the midst of its longest playoff drought, now spanning five years.
The Chicago Blackhawks selected Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov with the No. 2 pick, announced by last year’s top pick, Connor Bedard. This marked the third draft where college players were chosen first and second, a testament to the growing influence of college hockey in the NHL.
The draft was not without its surprises. The Anaheim Ducks made waves by selecting Oshawa forward Beckett Sennecke at No. 3, a player ranked 12th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Sennecke’s reaction was one of genuine shock, as he was seen mouthing “Oh, my God” to his father upon hearing the news.
The newly established Utah Hockey Club made a notable pick by selecting Kelowna center Tij Iginla, the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, with the No. 6 pick. This selection ended any hopes of Calgary landing the son of their former star. Jarome Iginla expressed his excitement, saying, “Every city’s a great city, but Utah, we’re excited. … We’re very happy for him. He’s worked hard, and it’s a big day.”
The draft, held at the year-old Sphere in Las Vegas, was a visual spectacle. The venue, a globe-shaped structure with video screens inside and out, provided a stunning backdrop for the event. The 32 teams gathered at tables beneath a wrap-around screen that broadcast scenes from the draft to a sold-out crowd of 14,220.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who was predictably booed upon taking the podium, was joined by teams to announce the selections. The Vegas crowd showed their loyalty by booing Pacific Division rivals and cheering when the Golden Knights selected center Trevor Connelly at No. 19.
The draft also featured several surprise guests. Celine Dion announced her hometown Montreal Canadiens’ selection of Russian forward Ivan Demidov at No. 5, while Michael Buffer used his famous “Are you ready to rumble” tagline to announce the Philadelphia Flyers’ pick of Ontario Hockey League center Jett Luchanko at No. 13.
The draft was not just about the top picks. Canadians dominated the first-round selections, with 19 players drafted, tied for the most since 1987. Only three Americans were drafted, starting with University of Denver defenseman Zeev Buium, who went 12th to Minnesota.
The Sharks’ selection of Celebrini is seen as a foundational move for the franchise. General Manager Mike Grier emphasized the importance of this pick, saying, “Having the first overall pick, it’s a big moment for the organization, to have someone hopefully that can be a big part of our core and play here for a long, long time.”
Celebrini’s selection is a significant step in the Sharks’ rebuilding process. The team has struggled in recent years, and adding a player of Celebrini’s caliber is a positive move towards future success. Grier acknowledged the importance of this draft, stating, “It’s definitely doing a good job of laying the foundation. I don’t know if it’s finishing the foundation. It’s definitely an important time, an important draft, but we still got some work to do to kind of round things out and keep building up the prospect pool.”
The draft’s setting in Las Vegas added a unique flair to the event, with the Sphere providing a high-tech, visually stunning venue. The combination of hockey tradition and Vegas showmanship made for a memorable night, one that Sharks fans will hope marks the beginning of a new era for their team.
As the Sharks look to the future, the selection of Macklin Celebrini as the No. 1 pick is a significant step towards building a competitive team. With his impressive college career and potential for growth, Celebrini is poised to become a central figure in the Sharks’ quest to return to NHL prominence.
Source: AP News, Fox News, The Athletic, NHL.com
