Macklin Celebrini becomes youngest captain in San Jose Sharks history at 20
The San Jose Sharks have named 20-year-old forward Macklin Celebrini as their new team captain, making him the youngest captain in franchise history and the youngest active captain in the NHL.
Sharks general manager Mike Grier announced the decision on Friday. Celebrini becomes the 11th full-time captain in the history of the franchise and takes over a position that had been vacant since Logan Couture retired in April 2025.
Celebrini replaces Patrick Marleau as the youngest captain in Sharks history. Marleau was 24 when he received the captaincy in 2004. Celebrini, who turned 20 in June, is also younger than Chicago Blackhawks captain Connor Bedard, who was named captain earlier this month at 21.
The announcement was made after the Sharks’ practice. Hockey Hall of Famer and former Sharks captain Joe Thornton presented Celebrini with his No. 71 jersey featuring the captain’s “C.” Thornton praised Celebrini’s work ethic and leadership and welcomed him into the role.
Grier also praised Celebrini for the way he has approached training camp and his development as a leader. Celebrini had previously served as one of San Jose’s alternate captains during the 2025-26 season.
Celebrini enters his third NHL season after an outstanding 2025-26 campaign. He scored 45 goals and 70 assists for 115 points in 82 games, finishing fourth in NHL scoring. His 115 points broke Joe Thornton’s previous Sharks single-season record of 114 points, set in 2006-07.
The young forward has also gained significant international experience. At the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, Celebrini recorded 10 points, including five goals and five assists, for Canada. He later served as Canada’s captain at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded 14 points in 10 games.
Celebrini was selected by San Jose with the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He has now recorded 178 points in 152 regular-season NHL games over his first two seasons, establishing himself as one of the team’s central players.
In July, Celebrini agreed to a five-year, $94 million contract extension with the Sharks, carrying an average annual value of $18.8 million. The contract will begin with the 2027-28 season.
The Sharks will begin the 2026-27 regular season at home against the Florida Panthers on October 1. San Jose will enter the new season looking to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
With the captaincy now officially in his hands, Celebrini will take on a larger leadership role as the Sharks continue to build around their young star.