Well, we are all here. It is officially the day before the tremendously, highly anticipated Gold Medal final showdown between Canada and the United States of America. To get you ready, we want to tell you about one of the greatest young stars in the entire game, and he’s plays for Canada. That player, is none other than Macklin Celebrini.
Canada and USA Ready for the Battle for Gold in Milan
First, for a little recap of where we are. Today, the team representing Czechia will take on Finland with an Olympic Bronze Medal on the line. Then tomorrow, we are prepared for a classic hockey rivalry, Canada versus USA. It truly is a battle for the ages. In recent times, they met in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off final, as well as the 2002 and 2010 Olympic Gold Medal final game. Don’t forget, they also paired up in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, best two-out-of-three. Even since, in these recent times, the rivalry has been outstanding.
One of the amazing success stories for Team Canada is none other than San Jose Shark centre-iceman, Macklin Celebrini. He has been catapulted to a first-line role along Canada’s greatest player among the active NHLers, Connor McDavid. The duo has been inseparable, it has been incredible. What more can we say?
Most Points in First 5 Games of Single Olympics Involving NHL Players:
Connor McDavid 🇨🇦 (2026) – 13
Macklin Celebrini 🇨🇦 (2026) – 10
Teemu Selanne 🇫🇮 (1998) – 10— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) February 20, 2026
Discussing Celebrini’s Stats and More
He has shown maturity beyond his years. It is very obvious from watching him play. Also, it shines through when you realize how humble he is off the ice. He has carried it over to his on-ice play. This year in the NHL, Celebrini has catapulted himself as a top scorer in the show.
Drew Doughty on Macklin Celebrini: "He told me he was s——- his pants when he went in the box. I was like, 'Buddy, what do you got to worry about? You got the best PKers in Canada behind you.'" 🇨🇦
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) February 13, 2026
Celebrini has truly raised his game to another level, and his stats are evidence. As the NHLers broke for the Olympics, only Connor McDavid (96), Nathan MacKinnon (93), and Nikita Kucherov (91) had more points than the teenager Celebrini’s 81. Moreover, Celebrini’s point total already puts him in elite company in another perspective. Even just through 55 Shark games this year, Celebrini is ranking pretty high in most points in NHL history by a 19-year-old (he won’t turn 20 until June). His 81 points puts him 13th all-time, with so much of the season remaining. Only Sidney Crosby (120), Connor McDavid (100), and Steven Stamkos (95) have had more among active NHL players. Moreover, Celebrini is actually on pace for right around 120. Therefore, he could surpass Crosby‘s point total for a second-year NHLer. Shall we say it again, simply incredible.
Macklin Celebrini played 18:02 of the final 40 minutes for Team Canada 🇨🇦 as they chased that semifinal from behind
The teenager finished with a team-high 25:53 of ice time and eight shots on goal
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 20, 2026
His ice time is off the charts, and we have seen it carry over to these Olympic Games. This year in the regular season, he plays over 21 minutes a game for the Sharks. In yesterday’s semifinal match versus Team Finland, he skated nearly 26 minutes. That is not to mention the eight shots he had on Juuse Saros. He’s is tough to slow, and he is up against some of the top defenders from the other countries.
Understanding How Great his Play has Been
The fact that a 19-year-old is on the top line of one of the best forward groups, maybe ever assembled, is something in itself. It may not be about where they end up in their careers so much, as where this collective group is right now. Players like MacKinnon, McDavid, Crosby, and beyond that Cale Makar, are all playing at levels that are hard to describe.
The 2002 Olympic team, for example, was loaded with future Hall-of-Famers. Guys like Mario Lemieux, Joe Sakic, and Steve Yzerman, even Eric Lindros or Paul Kariya, stacked that team, in terms of Hall-of-Fame pedigree. However, those players weren’t in the midst of their prime. There is reason to believe this 2026 group, in terms of players being in their prime, is the best crop of forwards a Canadian team has dressed.
In that we include Celebrini in that discussion, and we can go one further, is that a player like Celebrini is part of the reason they are so great. It really speaks to where he is, developmentally.
Celebrini’s play and stats have not only been fantastic in the NHL, but at the Olympics, as well. Currently, through five games, he is tied for second in scoring, behind only Connor McDavid. Furthermore, his ten points through the first five games of an Olympics with NHL players, ties with Teemu Selanne for the second-most all-time. McDavid leads with the 13 he has collected, so far.
The team will need him and the connection with McDavid, for just one more game. It was be a fierce matchup with the rivals to the south, Team USA. And whether they have Tom Wilson hitting everything that moves on their wing, or they go “Nuclear” and load it up with MacKinnon, it seems Celebrini has found his spot on top.
Canada and US are set for puck drop, tomorrow at 8:10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, with gold on the line.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
