Warriors Coach Cheers on Sharks Star in 2026 Olympics

Steve Kerr has known Macklin Celebrini since he was 12 years old when his father joined the Warriors' medical staff.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is excited to watch San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini represent Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. Kerr has known Celebrini since he was a teenager when his father, Rick Celebrini, joined the Warriors' medical staff in 2018 and is now the team's Vice President of Player Health and Medicine.

Why it matters

Kerr's support for the young Sharks star highlights the close-knit nature of the Bay Area sports community, where professional teams often have connections that go beyond the playing field. Celebrini's Olympic appearance also showcases the talent pipeline from the NHL to the international stage.

The details

Kerr spoke about Celebrini during a press conference on Monday, saying 'It's pretty exciting. I can't wait to watch him play in the Olympics.' The Warriors coach has known Celebrini since he was 12 years old when his father joined the Warriors' medical staff in 2018.

  • Kerr spoke about Celebrini during a press conference on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • Celebrini will represent Team Canada at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

The players

Steve Kerr

The head coach of the Golden State Warriors NBA team.

Macklin Celebrini

A forward for the San Jose Sharks NHL team who will represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Rick Celebrini

The Vice President of Player Health and Medicine for the Golden State Warriors and the father of Macklin Celebrini.

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What they’re saying

“It's pretty exciting. I can't wait to watch him play in the Olympics.”

— Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors (nhl.com)

The takeaway

The close connections between the Bay Area's professional sports teams and players highlight the tight-knit nature of the local sports community, where relationships and support often extend beyond individual teams and leagues.