NHL Prospect Celebrini First in 2024 Entry Draft?
By Kieran Dowson
November 18, 2023
At just 17 years old, Vancouver, BC native Macklin Celebrini is already turning heads in the hockey world. He currently plays forward for Boston University in the NCAA and as of this 2023-24 season has 22 points in just 11 games played including 9 goals and 13 assists.The 6 foot, 190 pound forward “could end up being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft ” according to Evan Marinofsky of the New England Hockey Journal.
Celebrini has played for The San Jose Jr. Sharks 14U AAA, Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U, Chicago Steel, Team Canada U18, and most recently Boston University.
A majority of Canadian youth hockey players choose to go the WHL route rather than test their luck in the college leagues, but Celebrini says, “Originally I had to choose between Chicago and Seattle and I chose Chicago just because of their players and their reputation and what I saw when I visited them. Then after looking at BU and seeing their coaches and staff I knew they could help me succeed, so I felt like that was a huge factor in choosing BU.”
A major highlight in Celebrini’s career was his contribution to Team Canada during the 2023 World Junior Championship where he earned 15 points in just 7 games . Celebrini’s 6 goals and 9 assists made a major impact considering that’s where most hockey enthusiasts first heard of him.
“I saw him score that insane goal for Canada from the top of the circle,” says avid hockey fan Emile Dubé. “He just puts up points and he’s the kind of player you wanna pay attention to when he’s on the ice.”
Celebrini told Ryan Haze ,“I’m just working on working off the puck, I mean I feel like that’s a big part of the game, especially at the higher levels and just being able to put yourself in the right spots.” stated Celebrini.
Which NHL team will draft Celebrini in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft? Dubé says,“Well obviously I’d love him to go to the Habs since I’m a Canadiens fan, but looking at the recent standings he’ll probably go to San Jose, Edmonton, or even Chicago again.”
Until then, fans will have to be content with speculating whether Macklin Celebrini will be the first to hear his name called and who he’ll answer to.
