The San Jose Sharks made Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday night at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
This was the first time in Sharks franchise history they owned the No. 1 overall pick. They have drafted second overall three times and not since 1997 when they chose Patrick Marleau.
A special moment in @SanJoseSharks history. #NHLDraft : 2024 Upper Deck #NHLDraft on @espn, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/MzTv1fbqCk
NHL (@NHL) June 29, 2024
Celebrini, who turned 18 this month, was second in NCAA scoring this past season with 32 goals and third overall with 64 points in 38 games for the Terriers. He won Hockey East Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year. The Vancouver native topped his year off by becoming the youngest player ever to win the Hobey Baker Award as the top men’s player.
Celebrini, the top-ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking, has said he could benefit from going back to Boston University for another year, but the Sharks would like to add a spark to their lineup immediately.
“I think he’s got a special mentality to make himself better [and] push himself. Super competitive,” said Sharks general manager Mike Grier in May. “[He] brings it every day, and already … he’s got a great level of professionalism to him. I think he gives himself every chance to succeed.”
Macklin Celebrini NCAA highlights so far he is a baaaaaaad man. pic.twitter.com/yL7Wz11DHY
Nathan “Grav” Murdock (@NathanGraviteh) October 23, 2023
Only two No. 1 overall picks since 2006 have not gone straight to the NHL after being drafted Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power (Michigan, 2021) and Erik Johnson (Minnesota, 2006), who was selected by the St. Louis Blues.
The Sharks have not made the playoffs since the 2018-19 season and now have another piece as the franchise continues its rebuild under Grier.
Here are the prospects selected in the remaining 31 picks of the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft:
View from the floor of the Sphere. Amazing. #NHLDraft #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/3ZfrYqTcFd
Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) June 28, 2024
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov D, Michigan State
3. Anaheim Ducks: Beckett Sennecke RW, Oshawa (OHL)
Beckett Sennecke was SHOCKED when his name was called by the Ducks at #3 overall pic.twitter.com/JsmBcSalf8
B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 28, 2024
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom C, Medicine Hat (WHL)
5. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov RW, SKA St. Petersburg Jr. (Russia- MHL)
IVAN DEMIDOV HAS BEEN DRAFTED BY THE HABS AND CELINE DION JUST MADE THE PICK pic.twitter.com/lIeLgwup2e
B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 28, 2024
6. Utah Hockey Club: Tij Iginla C, Kelowna (WHL)
7. Ottawa Senators: Carter Yakemchuk D, Calgary (WHL)
8. Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton C, Spokane (WHL)
BERKLY CATTON HIGHLIGHT REELThe purrfect highlight reel doesnt exi@spokanechiefs | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/EMoIJ3MfkP
The WHL (@TheWHL) June 28, 2024
9. Calgary Flames: Zayne Parekh D, Saginaw (OHL)
10. New Jersey Devils: Anton Silayev D, Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
11. San Jose Sharks (from Buffalo Sabres): Sam Dickinson D, London (OHL)
12. Minnesota Wild (from Philadelphia Flyers): Zeev Buium D, Denver
WE HAVE A TRADE TO ANNOUNCE The Flyers trade #12 to Minnesota for #13 and a 3rd round pick pic.twitter.com/Xy9kjQuXQc
B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 29, 2024
13. Philadelphia Flyers: Jett Luchanko C, Guelph (OHL)
14. Buffalo Sabres: Konsta Helenius C, Jukurit (Finland)
15. Detroit Red Wings: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard RW, Mora (Sweden)
The Red Wings picked Michael Brandsegg-Nygard with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.He is the first Norwegian ever taken in the first round of the NHL Draft. pic.twitter.com/r0zy8SinK7
Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 29, 2024
16. St. Louis Blues: Adam Jiricek D, Plzen (Czech Republic)
17. Washington Capitals: Terik Parascak RW, Prince George (WHL)
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from New York Islanders): Sacha Boisvert C, Muskegon (USHL)
Should probably also show you this beauty from Sacha Boisvert. #2024NHLDraft @MuskegonJacks #starsrise | @flohockey | @UNDmhockey pic.twitter.com/HCEIYbEBDt
USHL (@USHL) February 10, 2024
19. Vegas Golden Knights: Trevor Connelly LW, Tri-City (USHL)
20. New York Islanders (from Tampa Bay Lightning): Cole Eiserman LW, USA U-18 (USHL)
21. Montreal Canadiens (from Los Angeles Kings): Michael Hage C, Chicago (USHL)
22. Nashville Predators: Yegor Surin C, Yaroslavl Jr. (Russia- MHL)
23. Anaheim Ducks (from Toronto Maple Leafs): Stian Solberg D, Valerenga (Norway)
The Maple Leafs trade the 23rd overall pick to the Ducks in exchange for the 31st and 58th overall picks. pic.twitter.com/gA450HzExE
Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 29, 2024
24: Utah Hockey Club (from Colorado Avalanche): Cole Beaudoin C, Barrie (OHL)
25. Boston Bruins: Dean Letourneau C, St. Andrews College
26. Los Angeles Kings: Liam Greentree RW, Windsor (OHL)
27. Chicago Blackhawks (from Carolina Hurricanes): Marek Vanacker LW, Brantford (OHL)
“So boo me but give yourselves a hand” Gary Bettman brought the jokes when announcing the draft had sold-out attendance pic.twitter.com/2OMrcQGM9J
B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 29, 2024
28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver Canucks): Matvei Gridin RW, Muskegon (USHL)
29. Dallas Stars: Emil Hemming RW, TPS (Finland)
30. New York Rangers: EJ Emery D, USA U-18 (USHL)
31. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Anaheim Ducks): Ben Danford D, Oshawa (OHL)
32. Edmonton Oilers (from Philadelphia Flyers): Sam O’Reilly RW, London (OHL)