Macklin Celebrini, 20, Named Youngest Captain in San Jose Sharks History

Macklin Celebrini, 20, has been named captain of the San Jose Sharks, a decision that comes just over a month after he signed a five-year, $94 million contract (average annual value $18.8 million). The appointment makes him the youngest captain in the club’s history.

According to the NHL, San Jose had been without a captain since Logan Couture’s retirement on April 15, 2025. After practice, Joe Thornton handed Celebrini the No. 71 jersey, while general manager Mike Grier praised his tireless work ethic and leadership role in the group, calling the appointment well deserved. Celebrini served as an alternate captain for the Sharks last season.

His recent calendar has been rich with achievements: at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics he recorded 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in six games, while at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, where he was named captain of Canada, he scored 14 points (6 goals, 8 assists) in 10 games as the team finished fourth, losing the bronze-medal chance to Norway in overtime. In his second season of professional top-flight hockey he reached 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 82 games, ranking fourth in league scoring; in his career he has 178 points (70 goals, 108 assists) in 152 regular-season games.

Beyond the on-ice numbers, Celebrini received the IIHF Male Player of the Year award and appeared on the cover of EA Sports’ 27th edition of the game; his contract, as the club put it, was meant to give him the recognition and stability needed to keep building the team. San Jose aims to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2018–19 season, and team officials have expressed confidence in his dedication and work ethic, the NHL writes.