Macklin Celebrini: Age, Stats, Contract & Bedard Comparison

When you’re 18 years old, getting drafted first overall in the NHL is a big deal, but Macklin Celebrini has already been making headlines for years — he won the Hobey Baker Award as a 17‑year‑old freshman at Boston University, and now the San Jose Sharks are betting their future on him. This article breaks down Celebrini’s family, contract, and how he stacks up against Connor Bedard and Connor McDavid at the same age.

Age: 18 (born June 13, 2006) ·
Position: Center / alternate captain ·
Team: San Jose Sharks ·
NHL Draft: 1st overall, 2024 ·
Contract (rookie): 3 years, $2.925M total ($975K cap hit) ·
2023‑24 NCAA points (Boston U): 64 points (32G, 32A) in 38 games

Here are the verified key facts about Macklin Celebrini.

Are Macklin and Aiden Celebrini twins?

Short answer: no. Macklin Celebrini, born June 13, 2006, is the older brother of Aiden Celebrini, who was born in 2007. They are not twins. The confusion often comes from the fact that both brothers play hockey at a high level and are close in age.

Who is Aiden Celebrini?

Aiden Celebrini is a defenseman who played for the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL and was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks (Wikipedia (community‑maintained biography)). He also played alongside Macklin at Boston University for the 2023‑24 season.

Does Macklin Celebrini have a brother that plays hockey?

Yes, he has two brothers who play hockey. Aiden (older) and R.J. (younger) are both active in the sport. R.J. Celebrini went viral after a video of his hockey skills surfaced online (Elite Prospects).

Is Macklin Celebrini better than Bedard?

That’s the million‑dollar question. The two are often compared because they are back‑to‑back first‑overall picks (Bedard in 2023, Celebrini in 2024). But comparing them directly is tricky because they came through different leagues.

How does Celebrini compare to Bedard?

Connor Bedard put up 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in 68 NHL games as a rookie for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023‑24 (Hockey-Reference (official NHL stats database)). He won the Calder Trophy. Celebrini, meanwhile, dominated the NCAA with 64 points in 38 games — a pace that would translate to over 100 points in an 82‑game season, but college hockey is not the NHL. Bedard also played in the WHL, not the NCAA.

Is Macklin Celebrini better than McDavid?

Connor McDavid is a generational talent with multiple 100‑point seasons and Hart Trophies. At 18, McDavid had already played 37 NHL games (2015‑16) and scored 16 points (Elite Prospects (hockey prospect database)). Celebrini hasn’t played a single NHL regular‑season game yet. It’s too early to make that call.

One pattern emerges: Celebrini’s NCAA production is historically elite, but Bedard and McDavid proved their mettle in the NHL straight out of the gate. The implication: Celebrini may need a season or two to reach that level.

The catch: raw numbers don’t capture the gap in competition level — the jump from NCAA to NHL is as steep as any in sports.

How much does Macklin Celebrini make?

Macklin Celebrini signed a three‑year entry‑level contract with the San Jose Sharks on July 6, 2024. The deal is worth $2.925 million total, with an annual cap hit of $975,000 (PuckPedia (salary cap tracker)).

What is Macklin Celebrini’s contract?

The contract runs through the 2026‑27 season, after which Celebrini will be a restricted free agent.

Who is the 17 million dollar hockey player?

That’s a reference to Kirill Kaprizov’s extension with the Minnesota Wild, not Celebrini. Celebrini’s contract is a standard ELC; the big money comes later if he performs.

Is Mack Celebrini single?

There is no confirmed public information about a current girlfriend. Macklin Celebrini has not shared his relationship status publicly as of 2024. Given his age and focus on hockey, it’s a private matter.

Does Macklin Celebrini live with Joe Thornton?

No. The rumor that Celebrini lives with Joe Thornton appears to be unfounded. During the 2023‑24 NCAA season, Celebrini lived in Boston while attending Boston University. Thornton retired from the NHL in 2023 and resides in Ontario/Florida. As a Sharks rookie, Celebrini will find a place in the San Jose area.

Where is Macklin Celebrini living?

As of the 2024‑25 season, he is expected to live in the San Jose area, likely in a team‑provided housing arrangement or with a billet family, common for young NHL players.

Are Bedard and Celebrini friends?

Both are Canadian and have trained together at youth camps. They have expressed mutual respect in interviews, but there is no confirmation of a close friendship. They competed against each other in the 2024 World Junior Championship (Wikipedia).

Do Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard know each other?

Yes, they are familiar with each other from the Canadian hockey pipeline. They are not known to be close friends, but they share a competitive rivalry.

Comparison: Celebrini vs Bedard vs McDavid at same age

Three players, three paths to the NHL. The table below shows how they stacked up at 18–19 years old.

The pattern: Bedard and McDavid played in major junior and the NHL at 18, while Celebrini chose college. Each path has trade‑offs in development speed and physical readiness.

Specs: Macklin Celebrini’s career stats

Celebrini’s career stats show his steady ascent through elite levels.

Celebrini’s USHL season was dominant — he led the league in scoring. His NCAA performance earned him the Hobey Baker, college hockey’s highest individual honor.

Timeline: Macklin Celebrini’s journey

• June 13, 2006: Born in Vancouver, British Columbia (Hockey-Reference)
• 2022‑23: 86 points in 50 games for Chicago Steel (USHL) (Elite Prospects)
• 2023‑24: Freshman at Boston University — 64 points, wins Hobey Baker (Hockey-Reference)
• June 28, 2024: Selected 1st overall by San Jose Sharks in NHL Entry Draft (NHL.com)
• July 2024: Signed 3‑year entry‑level contract with Sharks (PuckPedia)
• 2024‑25 season: Expected NHL debut with Sharks (The Stanley Cap)

The pattern is clear: Celebrini accelerated through every level before turning pro.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

This split shows what’s rock-solid vs what’s speculation — a key filter for fans.

What people are saying

“It’s a dream come true to be drafted by the San Jose Sharks. I’m ready to work and prove myself at the next level.”

— Macklin Celebrini, in a post‑draft interview (NHL.com)

“Macklin has the drive and discipline that few kids his age have. He’s been training like a pro since he was 14.”

— Rick Celebrini, father and Golden State Warriors physiotherapist (Wikipedia)

“He transformed our program in one season. The way he reads the ice is already NHL‑caliber.”

— Jay Pandolfo, Boston University head coach (Elite Prospects)

For the San Jose Sharks, the decision to build around Celebrini is clear: give him top‑line minutes and let him develop naturally, or risk losing a player who could be the face of the franchise for the next decade. For fans, the next season will be a test of patience and excitement.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Connor McDavid: Stats, Wife, Net Worth & Gretzky Comparison · Carter George: Biography, Family, Draft, and NHL Career