Macklin Celebrini Becomes Youngest NHL Cover Athlete for EA Sports NHL 27

A Historic Sophomore Campaign

Celebrini’s selection as the face of the upcoming game comes on the heels of a prolific 2025-26 campaign. During his sophomore season, the center recorded a team-record 115 points, consisting of 45 goals and 70 assists across 82 games. This performance placed him fourth in the league and earned him a nomination for the Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted by the NHL Players’ Association. His point production placed him in an exclusive group of teenagers who have reached the 100-point milestone in an NHL season, joining Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux, Dale Hawerchuk, and Jimmy Carson. Celebrini reached the 100-point mark in 72 games, a pace surpassed only by Gretzky (61 games) and Crosby (65 games) when they were teenagers.

International Impact and Recognition

Beyond his performance with the Sharks, Celebrini has established a significant presence on the international stage. In 2026, he represented Canada at both the Milano Cortina Olympics in February and the IIHF World Championship in May. At the Olympics, Celebrini led the tournament in goals with five and finished second in total points with 10 across six games, helping Canada secure a silver medal. He was subsequently named to the tournament’s All-Star Team. During the May world championships, he served as team captain and finished second among all scorers with 14 points, including six goals and eight assists in 10 games. Following the tournament, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) directorate named Celebrini the tournament’s best forward, and he was selected to the media all-star team. Additionally, he was named the IIHF Male Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season.

Sharks Franchise Context

Celebrini’s rise has coincided with a notable turnaround for the San Jose Sharks. Last season, the team finished with 86 points and a record of 39-35-8, a significant improvement over their 20-win, 52-point performance in 2024-25. The EA Sports cover appearance marks the second time a Sharks player has been featured on the game’s cover, the first being Owen Nolan for *NHL 2001*. Celebrini is currently one of four nominees for Best NHL Player at the 2026 ESPY Awards, competing against Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid.

Career Statistics Summary

Since entering the league, Celebrini has demonstrated consistent offensive output. His career totals through 152 NHL games stand at 70 goals and 108 assists. | Statistic | 2025-26 Season | Career Total | | :— | :— | :— | | Games Played | 82 | 152 | | Goals | 45 | 70 | | Assists | 70 | 108 | | Points | 115 | 178 | Celebrini, who was born on June 13, 2006, stands at 6-foot-0 and weighs 190 pounds. As he prepares for the upcoming season, he remains eligible for a contract extension beginning July 1.

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