Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Karl Rasmussen

No. 1 Pick Macklin Celebrini to Live With Sharks Great Joe Thornton In Rookie Year

Celebrini is selected with the No. 1 pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The San Jose Sharks are hopeful that Macklin Celebrini will be a franchise cornerstone after selecting the standout forward with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL draft.

As he transitions to life in the NHL, Celebrini will have a unique opportunity in San Jose. According to Adam Kimelman of NHL.com, Celebrini told reporters he will be living with franchise legend Joe Thornton during his rookie year.

Thornton is a beloved figure by Sharks fans, having played 15 of his 24 NHL seasons in San Jose. He was on stage to announce the pick when the organization selected Celebrini first overall in this year's draft, and now he'll offer his guidance to the young skater as he embarks on his journey in the pros.

It's commonplace in the NHL for veteran players to house promising rookies and help mentor them during their first season in the league. There's hardly a better veteran presence Celebrini could ask for than Thornton, a four-time All-Star, one-time Hart Trophy winner, and one-time Art Ross Trophy winner.

Celebrini was on the ice at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia for the NHLPA rookie showcase, where fans were allowed to see him wearing his No. 71 Sharks uniform, with pads on, for the first time. Celebrini, along with 34 other players, took part in various promotional activities and even posed for their first official trading cards.


This article was originally published on www.si.com as No. 1 Pick Macklin Celebrini to Live With Sharks Great Joe Thornton In Rookie Year.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.