Having a father working for the Golden State Warriors and former NBA star Steve Nash for an uncle, college hockey player of the year and the presumptive No. 1 NHL draft pick Macklin Celebrini, likes to think he91裸聊视频檚 got game.
91裸聊视频淚 think it91裸聊视频檚 pretty good,91裸聊视频� Celebrini said, referring to his basketball ability, before acknowledging his dad, Rick, might be a better judge. 91裸聊视频淓very time I play and he watches, he says, `I91裸聊视频檓 a hockey player, playing basketball.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�
Celebrini will even happily admit to his shortcomings, by shaking his head when asked how he91裸聊视频檇 fare against Steph Curry by saying, 91裸聊视频淣o, I don91裸聊视频檛 think that would go over very well.91裸聊视频�
Curry, Draymond Green and the rest of the NBA can breathe easy.
At just under 6-feet and nearly 200 pounds, Celebrini isn91裸聊视频檛 about to quit what is projected to be a successful and lucrative pro hockey day job in preparing for the next step in his ascension on Friday, when the first round of the NHL draft opens at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
The San Jose Sharks hold the No. 1 pick and have already indicated their intention to choose the center. Celebrini represents the next major building block for a team that91裸聊视频檚 gone five seasons without a playoff berth, with the added bonus of a homecoming of sorts.
Though from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Celebrini spent time in the Bay Area, where he played for the Junior Sharks after his father relocated the family in 2018 upon being hired as the Warriors vice president of player health and performance.
It91裸聊视频檚 the same role Rick Celebrini previously held in Vancouver with the NHL91裸聊视频檚 Canucks and MLS91裸聊视频檚 Whitecaps, which provided his son an indelible behind-the-scenes glimpse into pro sports. As much as Celebrini hoped his son would follow in his footsteps by playing soccer, he knew very early on how much hockey meant to Macklin.
91裸聊视频淗e showed an affinity when he was very, very young,91裸聊视频� Celebrini said. 91裸聊视频淎t four- or five-years-old, just the determination and love he had for it, and just the passion. You could see that he was 91裸聊视频� and I91裸聊视频檝e said this a number of times 91裸聊视频� born to be a hockey player.91裸聊视频�
Freshman shines at Boston University
Celebrini is coming off a celebrated freshman season at Boston University, where college hockey91裸聊视频檚 youngest player last season 91裸聊视频� he turned 18 earlier this month 91裸聊视频� finished second in the nation with 32 goals and third with 64 points in 38 games. He became the fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey91裸聊视频檚 MVP, while also earning Hockey East player and rookie of the year honors.
91裸聊视频淚 think we had a pretty good feeling he was going to be pretty good,91裸聊视频� Terriers coach and former NHL forward Jay Pandolfo said.
91裸聊视频淭o be able to actually handle that pressure and keep getting better, that91裸聊视频檚 not easy to do,91裸聊视频� Pandolfo added. 91裸聊视频淵ou could see from Day 1, when he stepped on campus and stepped on the ice where he was going to do what he does as a player. And that91裸聊视频檚 very impressive. There was no intimidation at all to him.91裸聊视频�
Celebrini failed to register a point in just six games. His production accelerated over the second half of the season by combining for 22 goals and 39 points in his final 17 games in helping the Terriers reach the Frozen Four, which they lost in the semifinal to eventual champion Denver.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 not a fan of the term generational-type player and that, or putting labels on them,91裸聊视频� NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said of Celebrini. 91裸聊视频淏ut you can just tell with these elite kids where they have that unique and rare ability to thrive while competing with consistency and with a passion to every challenge. Their skills and smarts just kick in, and he91裸聊视频檚 done it again.91裸聊视频�
Decisions, decisions
The only lingering question is whether Celebrini will turn pro or return to BU for a second season.
91裸聊视频淚 believe he91裸聊视频檚 ready to play at the National Hockey League level. He91裸聊视频檚 physically mature and mentally mature,91裸聊视频� said Pandfolfo, who is among those serving as a sounding board for the player.
91裸聊视频淚 could argue either way and, to be honest, I don91裸聊视频檛 think he91裸聊视频檚 going to make the wrong decision,91裸聊视频� Pandolfo said, before laughing and adding he91裸聊视频檚 not going to turn Celebrini away if he chooses to stay.
Celebrini isn91裸聊视频檛 rushing into making a decision, saying he wants to enjoy the pre-draft process. Though excited by the prospect of going to San Jose, Celebrini said he would be grateful to join any team that selects him.
Sharks GM Mike Grier, a former Terrier, was already envisioning where Celebrini will fit in his lineup moments after the NHL revealed San Jose had won the draft lottery.
91裸聊视频淲hat91裸聊视频檚 exciting is he knows the area. His family has a house 30 minutes from here,91裸聊视频� Grier said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a big day for the organization. It91裸聊视频檚 been a tough year for the fans and the team. 91裸聊视频� So this is a nice prize for what we91裸聊视频檝e been through this year.91裸聊视频�
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AP Sports Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report.
John Wawrow, The Associated Press
