December 23rd 2024.
Macklin Celebrini, a rookie centerman for the San Jose Sharks, fondly recalls his childhood days in Vancouver. He and his older brother, Aiden, would often have the opportunity to skate on the ice surface at Rogers Arena, imagining themselves playing an NHL game in front of thousands of cheering fans.
At the time, Macklin was only eight to twelve years old, but he and Aiden would still fiercely compete on the rink, pretending to be their favorite NHL players. As a North Vancouver native, Macklin's dream of playing on that very ice surface will come true on Monday as the Sharks take on the Canucks before the Christmas break.
Being back inside the arena where he used to skate as a child brings back a wave of nostalgia for Macklin. "It's a little weird," he admits during a Q&A session with the media. "Skating here when I was younger, pretending to be an NHL player, and now practicing here and getting ready for tomorrow's game, it's pretty surreal."
Macklin's father, Rick, used to work for the Canucks in health sciences, so the children were often at the arena for games. "We would go into the family room and try to catch a glimpse of the players between periods or after the game," Macklin recalls. "I remember seeing Sidney Crosby in the hallway once, and my brother and I were freaking out. We also saw the Sedins walking by. Those memories stick with you, especially because we were such big fans when we were younger."
Tomorrow's game will be a special one for Macklin as he will have dozens of friends and family members in attendance, including his parents, brother Aiden (who is also a Canucks prospect), and his younger siblings, R.J. and Charlie. Even Rick, who currently works with the Golden State Warriors, took time away from his road trip to be in Vancouver for the game.
"Every time I was here, I would want to skate and imagine myself as an NHL player," Macklin says with a smile. "To do that as a kid was pretty cool, and tomorrow is going to be even cooler."
It's clear that Vancouver still holds a special place in Macklin's heart. He may now be the most famous alumni of the San Jose Jr. Sharks, as he put up impressive statistics for the youth hockey club at just thirteen years old during the 2019-2020 season.
But what many may not know is how difficult it was for Macklin to leave his hometown for the Bay Area at such a young age. Rick was given an amazing opportunity with the Warriors, but it was a big adjustment for Macklin, who had only known life in the Lower Mainland. "I was sad. I didn't want to leave," he admits. "It was my hometown, and I had been there my whole life, so it wasn't easy."
After spending a year in San Jose, Macklin moved to Faribault, Minnesota, where he attended Shattuck-St. Mary's, a boarding school known for its powerhouse hockey programs. He then spent a year with the Chicago Steel in the USHL before joining Boston University, where he became the youngest-ever winner of the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's top player.
Now, just 24 games into his professional career and six months after being drafted first overall at the NHL Draft, Macklin has already become an integral part of the Sharks, with 23 points in 24 games. His teammate, Tyler Toffoli, even goes as far as to say that he is probably their best player.
Macklin's journey began about 15 years ago in North Vancouver when his parents, Rick and Robyn, moved to the suburb. Their new home happened to be near the North Shore Winter Club, a sports facility with multiple ice rinks, among other amenities. Although the family didn't specifically choose to live close to the club, Rick says it ended up being a fantastic environment for their children.
"You could drop them off in the morning, and they would stay there all day," Rick explains. "It was a safe and incredible place for them to jump on the ice, grab a snack, go for a swim, and then get back on the ice. It played a significant role in their development."
The North Shore Winter Club has produced numerous NHL players, including Macklin's former teammates Evander Kane and Martin Jones, as well as Sharks prospect Carson Wetsch. "I've talked about how special that place was to me when I was younger," Macklin says. "It's a big reason why I am where I am today. The ice availability and the opportunities it gave us were unmatched. I don't think there are many places like it, so it was an amazing resource for me and all the other kids I grew up with."
Macklin will likely return to Vancouver many more times in his NHL career, but this first visit back will always be unique. "It's my hometown," he says when asked how much Vancouver means to him. "So, it means a lot."
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