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Without much doubt, Team Canada is the heavy favorite to bag the men's hockey gold medal at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Coach Jon Cooper has built a roster around Connor McDavid with so much star power that dropping a game would be a shock. While all eyes are on the Edmonton Oilers legend, the team itself might look to Macklin Celebrini for big time plays.
San Jose Sharks rising star might get big burden
Celebrini will become the first teenager to represent Team Canada at the Winter Olympics when NHL players are allowed to play. The 19-year-old has just played a total of 125 total games for the Sharks in two season, so some eyebrows were raised when he was selected for Milano Cortina. Despite all these doubts about his upcoming performance on the ice, there is a legend and a historic team who surely believes in him.
McDavid spilled his thoughts about Celebrini and hinted at the fact that he will be playing big minutes for Team Canada, via Dan Rosen of NHL.com.
"I've only been around him a little bit, but even just that little bit of being around him, I can tell how much he puts into it, how hard he works, how much he cares about it. It's been impressive to see. He's such a young guy, but to make this team, and not only to make this team, but he's going to be asked to play a big role, that's incredible," the Oilers and Team Canada legend declared.
Notably, the young forward has already played with a big name before. In 2025, Celebrini played alongside Sidney Crosby at the IIHF World Championship. He ended up notching three goals and three assists to help Team Canada get a fifth place finish. Now, he will be donning the same colors on his chest for a higher goal.
While there is a lot of pressure to do well, Celebrini will not forget about trying to learn as much as he can at the Winter Olympics.
"I think when you play with someone you looked up to and someone who is one of the best players ever, you look to defer to them and give them the puck, but they don't always want the puck. Just learning those situations and trusting my abilities and what I can do," the Team Canada youngster said.
There's a reason why Coach Cooper picked Celebrini for Milano Cortina and he will show it on the ice. Their campaign for the gold medal starts against Czechia on February 12.
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