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NHL Star Macklin Celebrini Signs Trading Cards With Fake Nickname He Thought Steph Curry Gave Him
The San Jose Sharks center has been signing his autographs as 'Chester' due to a made-up quote attributed to Steph Curry.
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
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San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, one of the top young stars in the NHL, has been signing his trading cards with the nickname 'Chester' because he thought it was given to him by Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry. However, the quote attributing the nickname to Curry is actually a satirical fabrication, leaving Celebrini unaware of the true origin of his new moniker.
Why it matters
This story highlights the power of social media and the spread of misinformation, as a fake quote from a famous athlete was able to take on a life of its own and influence the branding of a rising NHL star. It also showcases the creative and sometimes absurd nature of sports nicknames, especially in the digital age.
The details
According to the trading card company Topps, Celebrini has been signing all of his cards as 'Chester' because it's the nickname he's taken on. However, the reason for the nickname, which seems to have stuck, isn't exactly what he thinks. Topps claims that during the 2024 NHL Draft, Curry nicknamed Celebrini Chester because 'his hands are so filthy, just like after eating a big ol' bag of Cheetos.' But this quote was actually fabricated by the satirical Twitter account @SnipeCity420, not said by Curry.
- Macklin Celebrini was the top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
- The fake Steph Curry quote about Celebrini's 'Chester' nickname surfaced on Twitter on February 7, 2026.
The players
Macklin Celebrini
A 19-year-old center for the San Jose Sharks who is one of the top young stars in the NHL, having been the top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Steph Curry
The star point guard for the Golden State Warriors, who Celebrini falsely believed gave him the 'Chester' nickname.
Rick Celebrini
The Vice President of Player Health and Performance for the Golden State Warriors, and the father of NHL player Macklin Celebrini.
@SnipeCity420
A satirical Twitter account that fabricated the quote about Steph Curry nicknaming Macklin Celebrini 'Chester'.
What they’re saying
“his hands are so filthy, just like after eating a big ol' bag of Cheetos”
— Steph Curry (Fabricated by @SnipeCity420 Twitter account)
The takeaway
This story serves as a cautionary tale about the spread of misinformation, even in the sports world, and how a fabricated quote can take on a life of its own and influence an athlete's branding. It also highlights the creative and sometimes absurd nature of sports nicknames, especially in the digital age.
