Macklin Celebrini grew up dreaming of playing NHL hockey at Rogers Arena.

On Monday, that dream becomes a reality.

91裸聊视频淪kating here when I was younger, I kind of tried to put myself in an NHL player91裸聊视频檚 situation or shoes, and pretend to be them. And now I91裸聊视频檓 practising here and getting ready for the game tomorrow,91裸聊视频� the 18-year-old San Jose Sharks centre said Sunday. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 pretty surreal.91裸聊视频�

Raised in North Vancouver, B.C., Celebrini was picked first overall by the Sharks at June91裸聊视频檚 NHL entry draft. He91裸聊视频檚 since become a rookie sensation with 11 goals and 12 assists in his first 24 games.

On Monday, he91裸聊视频檒l look to add to the tally when he plays his hometown Vancouver Canucks for the first time.

It91裸聊视频檚 a major milestone for a young player who grew up around the team. His dad, Rick Celebrini, worked in health sciences with the Canucks and the Celebrini kids often found themselves at the rink.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檇 kind of go into the family room and between periods or after the game, you91裸聊视频檇 kind of peek your head out and try to see if you can see a guy or two,91裸聊视频� Macklin Celebrini said.

91裸聊视频淚 remember, I saw Sid (Crosby) one time in the hallway, and me and my brother were kind of freaking out there and we saw the Sedins walking by and stuff. Those are the memories that kind of stick with you.91裸聊视频�

After being drafted by the Sharks, he scored and contributed an assist in his NHL debut. He then reaggravated a hip injury that kept him sidelined for 12 games.

Celebrini91裸聊视频檚 offensive prowess has been evident since his return 91裸聊视频� the six-foot, 190-pound forward has three goals and four assists in his last five games.

The rookie does something impressive 91裸聊视频渆very single night,91裸聊视频� said Sharks forward Tyler Toffoli.

91裸聊视频淎 lot of things that people don91裸聊视频檛 even realize that he91裸聊视频檚 doing 91裸聊视频� just the way he competes, the 50-50, battles, even the battles that you don91裸聊视频檛 normally see guys win,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚n general, he91裸聊视频檚 winning those battles. He91裸聊视频檚 18 years old at the same time. So it91裸聊视频檚 pretty special.91裸聊视频�

Some of the decisions the young player has made while out on the ice have been 91裸聊视频渟uper impressive,91裸聊视频� said head coach Ryan Warsofsky. What he does behind the scenes is special, too.

91裸聊视频淯s coaches show them clips and we talk about details, and usually he picks it up really quickly. And whether that91裸聊视频檚 shift to shift or game to game, he91裸聊视频檚 picking up things extremely quickly,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淔or an 18-year-old kid, it91裸聊视频檚 remarkable.91裸聊视频�

Despite Celebrini91裸聊视频檚 success, San Jose has struggled and remains last in the Pacific Division with an 11-19-6 record.

91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 some ups and downs, mistakes, learning curves. But overall, I feel good,91裸聊视频� Celebrini said. 91裸聊视频淚 mean, it kind of sucks right now. We haven91裸聊视频檛 won too many in the last couple games. But we91裸聊视频檝e been there. We91裸聊视频檝e been close enough where I think we should have won a couple of those games.

91裸聊视频淏ut that91裸聊视频檚 the nature of it. You91裸聊视频檙e not going to win every game. And I think we91裸聊视频檙e just going to keep trying to learn how to close out games, especially when we have the lead, how to protect it, and kind of shut some of those games out.91裸聊视频�

There91裸聊视频檒l be a lot of friendly faces in the stands Monday when Celebrini and the Sharks take on the Canucks, including his parents and grandparents.

Rick Celebrini, now director of sports medicine and performance for the Golden State Warriors, took a few days away from the NBA team91裸聊视频檚 road trip to be in Vancouver and take in the game with 50 or 60 family and friends.

91裸聊视频淚 spent almost 50 years here in Vancouver, and the kids were all born and raised here, and they developed as athletes and as people here,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淪o to see now Macklin practising there today, and playing them tomorrow, it certainly is a full-circle moment and one of those times in life where you just kind of check yourself and appreciate everything that91裸聊视频檚 happened.91裸聊视频�

Canucks prospect Aiden Celebrini 91裸聊视频� Macklin91裸聊视频檚 older brother 91裸聊视频� will also be in the stands.

He won91裸聊视频檛 be sporting a Sharks jersey with a Celebrini nameplate, however.

91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 think that91裸聊视频檇 be very wise of him,91裸聊视频� Macklin Celebrini said with a smile. 91裸聊视频淗e should just keep it neutral. He can91裸聊视频檛 wear a Canucks jersey either. He91裸聊视频檚 just got to wear a sweater.91裸聊视频�