Macklin Celebrini making plenty of noise for Team Canada ahead of Olympic Quarterfinals

Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks has already left a long-lasting mark on Team Canada ahead of the Canadians' now finalized Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Quarterfinals matchup against Czechia. 

Team Czechia and Canada will now face off on Feb. 18, with a puck drop timing slated for 10:40 a.m. EST. However, prior to that Celebrini has already made history. The forward became the first NHL player to score on a penalty shot at the Olympics in Team Canada’s 10-2 win against Team France. Celebrini would go on to finish the preliminary round with six points (four goals, two assists) in three games.

At only 19, Celebrini is already playing on Canada’s top line alongside Connor McDavid and Tom Wilson — in addition to taking shifts with Nathan MacKinnon.

Canada's spot in the quarterfinals was previously secured after the Canadians (3-0-0-0) won Group A, with Celebrini saying that him and his teammates' primary focus is on playing as a united group.

"We’re just kind of focused on taking steps as a group and trying to get better as this tournament goes on,” Celebrini said per Nicholas Cotsonika of NHL.com. “And I think that was the right step.” 

Celebrini proves future of Canada's National Men's Team is as bright as ever

Canada's National Men's Team boasts the most impressive record in international hockey history, with nine Olympic Gold Medals (1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1948, 1952, 2002, 2010, 2014) in addition to a whopping 28 IIHF World Championship Gold Medals.

Celebrini was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He was eventually then drafted at No. 1 overall in 2024 by the Sharks and has already put up 144 NHL points prior to the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Back to the quarterfinal — Canada's upcoming game against Czechia will serve as a rematch of the Olympic opener for both teams after Team Canada dominated the Czech Republic 5-0 on Feb. 12. In between the previously mentioned 10-2 win over the French, the Canadians also defeated Switzerland on Feb. 13, 5-1.

Celebrini is expected to be a real difference-maker in the single-elimination portion of the tournament, setting the tempo for what is to come in the rest of his career at both the NHL and international level.

MORE: Devils Timo Meier scores twice in Team Switzerland opener