Macklin Celebrini Shines at Olympics, But Canada Falls Short of Gold

The 19-year-old San Jose Sharks center led Canada to the silver medal at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 9:07pm

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San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini had a breakout performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, helping lead Team Canada to the silver medal. Despite outshooting the United States 42-28, Canada fell 2-1 in overtime in the gold medal game. Celebrini, who is still three months shy of his 20th birthday, emerged as a rising star on the international stage, showcasing his skills alongside superstars like Connor McDavid.

Why it matters

Celebrini's standout Olympic showing has significantly raised his profile and expectations for the rest of his NHL career with the Sharks. His chemistry with McDavid has already sparked speculation that the Oilers star could join Celebrini in San Jose when he becomes a free agent in 2028. The Sharks are also poised to become a more attractive destination for top free agents thanks to Celebrini's growing stardom.

The details

During the 12-day Olympic tournament, the first to include NHL players since 2014, Celebrini was a key contributor for Canada, combining with McDavid to lift the team past Czechia in the quarterfinals. In the gold medal game, Celebrini had several prime scoring chances but was unable to capitalize, as American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves to lead the U.S. to victory.

  • Celebrini and the Canadians fell to the United States 2-1 in overtime in the gold medal game on February 22, 2026.
  • Just before the game-winning goal for the U.S., Celebrini was on the ice with Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner.
  • Canadian forward Nathan MacKinnon was moved onto a line with McDavid and Celebrini early in round robin play.

The players

Macklin Celebrini

A 19-year-old center for the San Jose Sharks who emerged as a rising star on the international stage with his performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Connor McDavid

The superstar forward for the Edmonton Oilers who played on a line with Celebrini during the Olympics and developed instant chemistry with the young Sharks center.

Connor Hellebuyck

The American goaltender who made 41 saves to lead the United States to the gold medal, including a crucial stop on a potential game-winning shot by Canada's Devon Toews.

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What they’re saying

“We had lots of chances, I had lots of chances I missed. You get put in those situations, you have to capitalize on your opportunities, and I didn't.”

— Macklin Celebrini (chicoer.com)

“(Hellebuyck) was our best player by a mile. He's an absolute stud. He wants to be in those moments. He wants to make the saves. And he did just that, so he was definitely our MVP.”

— Matt Boldy, Winger, Team USA (chicoer.com)

What’s next

Celebrini will look to build on his Olympic success as he returns to the San Jose Sharks for the remainder of the NHL season. His strong performance has also raised expectations for his play in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey and the 2030 Winter Olympics in France.

The takeaway

Macklin Celebrini's breakout at the 2026 Winter Olympics has cemented his status as one of the NHL's brightest young stars, and has the potential to transform the San Jose Sharks into an even more attractive destination for top free agents in the coming years.