Macklin Celebrini's star continues to grow with Sharks: 'Transcend Bay Area sports'

The 19-year-old hockey phenom's Olympic success has sparked a surge in Sharks ticket and jersey sales.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 7:42pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old San Jose Sharks star, has seen his popularity skyrocket after a standout performance at the Winter Olympics in Milan, where he led Team Canada in scoring. The Sharks have seen a spike in ticket and jersey sales as a result, with the team shop struggling to keep up with demand for Celebrini's jersey. Sharks executives believe Celebrini's stardom is poised to 'transcend Bay Area sports'.

Why it matters

Celebrini's Olympic success has brought unprecedented attention to the Sharks, a franchise that has struggled to gain a large following in recent years. His emergence as a generational talent has the potential to revitalize interest in the team and transform them into a regional and national powerhouse.

The details

Celebrini, the Sharks' 2024 first overall draft pick, was the youngest player on the Canadian Olympic team and led the tournament in goals scored. His jersey sales have outpaced even the team's own merchandise, with the Sharks' team shop struggling to keep up with demand. The team has seen a significant spike in ticket sales, with three straight sellouts on weeknights, a rarity for the franchise. Sharks executives believe Celebrini's stardom will 'transcend Bay Area sports' and help the team build a larger national following.

  • Celebrini was selected 1st overall by the Sharks in the 2024 NHL Draft.
  • Celebrini led Team Canada in scoring at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, with 5 goals and 5 assists.
  • The Sharks resumed their season on February 26, 2026 after the Olympic break.

The players

Macklin Celebrini

A 19-year-old hockey prodigy who was the 1st overall pick by the San Jose Sharks in the 2024 NHL Draft. He led Team Canada in scoring at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Luis Borga

A second-year stadium worker at the Sharks' team shop who was struggling to keep up with demand for Celebrini jerseys.

Doug Bentz

The Sharks' vice president of marketing, who has been with the team for 21 years and believes Celebrini's stardom will 'transcend Bay Area sports'.

Ryan Warsofsky

The head coach of the San Jose Sharks.

Kiefer Sherwood

A left winger for the San Jose Sharks who acknowledged the team needs to 'be better around' Celebrini.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I've been here 21 years. There does seem to be a different feeling around this where it is going to be much bigger. It is going to transcend Bay Area sports.”

— Doug Bentz, Vice President of Marketing, San Jose Sharks

“When he does what he does on a(n international) stage, people are going to notice. We've seen it here in San Jose. Now the world sees it.”

— Ryan Warsofsky, Head Coach, San Jose Sharks

“Everyone's got to dig in and execute at a higher level because he's obviously creating and showed what he can do on the world stage with the best. We've got to be better around him.”

— Kiefer Sherwood, Left Winger, San Jose Sharks

“All this comes along with it — the fans, the attention — we want those expectations. We want that pressure. Because that means we're doing a good thing and we're trending the right way.”

— Macklin Celebrini

What’s next

The Sharks are fighting for their first playoff berth since 2019 and their first Stanley Cup since their founding in 1991. They will look to Celebrini to lead them to the postseason as they aim to capitalize on his growing stardom both on and off the ice.

The takeaway

Macklin Celebrini's breakout performance at the Winter Olympics has sparked a surge of interest and excitement around the San Jose Sharks, a franchise that has struggled to gain a large following in recent years. The team is poised to capitalize on Celebrini's rise to stardom, which has the potential to 'transcend Bay Area sports' and transform the Sharks into a regional and national powerhouse.