North Vancouver's Macklin Celebrini shares excitement over 1st NHL training camp

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
August 4, 2024 (6:11 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

North Vancouver native Macklin Celebrini shares excitement over his first NHL training camp with the San Jose Sharks next month.

2024 first overall pick Macklin Celebrini is set for his first season in the National Hockey League in a couple of months when he steps onto the ice at SAP Center on October 10th for his debut as the San Jose Sharks host the St. Louis Blues.

Celebrini recently spoke with Jessi Pierce of NHL.com while at a golf tournament and shared how excited he is to get going with the San Jose Sharks and for training camp next month. The North Vancouver native said that he feels the team is going in the right directions, especially with the moves they made this summer including the signings of Tyler Toffoli and Alexander Wennberg, along with claiming Barclay Goodrow off waivers from the New York Rangers, which will be the latter's second stint in Northern California.

"I couldn't be more excited," Celebrini said. "I was actually thinking about their prospect pool and how they made those additions, and how great of players those guys are. And the people they have in the front office, I couldn't be more excited."

He added, "I feel like they're really going in the right direction and I'm just excited for what the future holds,» he said of his new team."

Celebrini went on to say that there are nerves given it's his first training camp in the National Hockey League, but he's not letting it consume him and plans to use that as fuel to help him on the ice.

"It's my first training camp, so there's definitely a lot of nerves and a lot of excitement as well. I just feel like not letting it consume you, but kind of fuel you. At the end of the day, you've got to take care of what you can control and the rest will take care of itself, so I feel that's what I'm focusing on." Celebrini said.

Celebrini will have his first opportunity to wear a Sharks jersey in game action on September 13th in the team's rookie tournament game against Utah Hockey Club. Later in September, his first pre-season game will likely be on September 22nd against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center.

As for his first game in his hometown of Vancouver against the Canucks, that's set for two days before Christmas - December 23rd - at 6 pm PT/ 9 pm ET. There's no doubt that a ton of family will be in attendance for that game.

Source: Jessi Pierce/NHL
Celebrini 'couldn't be more excited' for 1st NHL training camp with Sharks

Do you think Macklin Celebrini will win the Calder Trophy this season? Let us know what you think in the poll below.