The Face of the Franchise: Macklin Celebrini Becomes Sharks Captain

It didn’t take long for the San Jose Sharks to realize whose team this had become.

Macklin Celebrini has officially been named captain of the San Jose Sharks, adding another milestone to what has already been a remarkable start to his NHL career.

Celebrini was presented with the “C” patch by Sharks legend and former captain Joe Thornton today.

At just 20 years old, Celebrini will wear the “C” for a franchise that has quickly built its future around him. It’s a major responsibility for any player, let alone one entering just his third NHL season. But if the first two years of Celebrini’s career have shown anything, it’s that he hasn’t needed much time to look comfortable on hockey’s biggest stage.

San Jose selected Celebrini first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, making him the first No. 1 overall selection in Sharks history. Almost immediately, he gave the organization exactly what it had been searching for throughout its rebuild — a legitimate franchise centerpiece.

Celebrini recorded 25 goals and 63 points in 70 games as a rookie in 2024-25, leading San Jose in scoring while earning NHL All-Rookie Team honors and finishing as a Calder Trophy finalist. The Sharks also named him their Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year.

Then he went from promising young star to one of the best players in hockey.

Celebrini exploded for 45 goals, 70 assists and 115 points during the 2025-26 season, breaking the Sharks’ single-season franchise record for points. Even more remarkable, he spent the entire regular season as a teenager. Only Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby have recorded more points in an NHL season before turning 20.

He also joined Gretzky as just the second teenager in NHL history to record at least 40 goals and 70 assists in the same season.

In only 152 NHL games, Celebrini has already produced 70 goals, 108 assists and 178 points.

Those aren’t simply impressive numbers for a young player. They’re the type of numbers that can change the direction of a franchise.

His rapid rise has extended beyond San Jose. Celebrini represented Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics and later captained his country at the IIHF World Championship, where he recorded 14 points in 10 games and was named the tournament’s Best Forward. He was also named the IIHF Male Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season.

That experience makes the letter on his Sharks sweater feel less surprising.

The captaincy isn’t simply a reward for what Celebrini has already accomplished. It’s a statement about where San Jose believes this franchise is going.

The Sharks reinforced that belief this offseason by signing their young superstar to a five-year, $94 million contract extension, ensuring the centerpiece of their rebuild will remain in San Jose for years to come.

There was a time when the Sharks were searching for their next identity.

They don’t have to search anymore.

In two seasons, Celebrini has gone from No. 1 overall pick, to Calder finalist, to 115-point superstar. Now comes another title.

Captain.

The rebuild in San Jose has its leader, and the future of Sharks hockey officially belongs to Macklin Celebrini.