Celebrini emerges as star for Team Canada at Olympics

19-year-old Sharks forward leads tournament in goals, gets torch pass from McDavid

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Macklin Celebrini, a 19-year-old forward for the San Jose Sharks, has been a breakout star for Team Canada at the 2026 Olympics. Celebrini leads the entire tournament in goals scored, including netting the opening tally against Czechia in the quarterfinal round after receiving a pass from Canadian hockey icon Connor McDavid. Celebrini's rapid rise to stardom has drawn comparisons to NHL legends like Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky.

Why it matters

Celebrini's performance at the Olympics represents a potential changing of the guard in Canadian hockey, as the young Sharks forward appears poised to take over the mantle from McDavid as the country's next hockey superstar. His emergence has captivated hockey fans and sparked excitement about the future of the sport in Canada.

The details

In just his second NHL season, the 19-year-old Celebrini has been matching or breaking records for teenage hockey accomplishments. He has single-handedly willed the San Jose Sharks into playoff contention this season. At the Olympics, Celebrini leads the entire tournament in goals scored with five, including netting the opening tally against Czechia in the quarterfinal round after receiving a pass from Canadian hockey icon Connor McDavid.

  • Celebrini scored his fifth goal of the Olympics on Wednesday in the quarterfinal round against Czechia.
  • Celebrini was not initially expected to make the Canadian Olympic team, but by the time the team arrived in Beijing, he was not only on the roster, but on the first line with McDavid.

The players

Macklin Celebrini

A 19-year-old forward for the San Jose Sharks who has emerged as a breakout star for Team Canada at the 2026 Olympics, leading the tournament in goals scored.

Connor McDavid

The captain of the Canadian men's hockey team and one of the best players in the NHL, who passed the torch to the younger Celebrini during the quarterfinal game against Czechia.

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What they’re saying

“Celebrini keeps scoring, including a penalty shot against France.”

— Billy Heyen, Author (sportingnews.com)

“At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if Celebrini got a few more. After all, for Canada to get the gold medal, it has to beat Czechia and then win two more games.”

— Billy Heyen, Author (sportingnews.com)

What’s next

If Canada defeats Czechia in the quarterfinals, they will advance to the semifinals, where Celebrini will have the opportunity to continue his goal-scoring heroics and lead the team to the gold medal game.

The takeaway

Macklin Celebrini's breakout performance at the 2026 Olympics has cemented his status as the next great Canadian hockey player, potentially ushering in a new era of dominance for the country's national team as the 19-year-old Sharks forward appears poised to take over the mantle from Connor McDavid as the face of hockey in Canada.