The San Jose Sharks’ No. 1 overall draft pick, Macklin Celebrini, is making his return to the ice on Tuesday after being out due to a lower-body injury. The 18-year-old forward had a strong start to his NHL career, scoring a goal and an assist in his debut game against the St. Louis Blues on October 10. However, he was sidelined the next day for evaluation after the injury.
After being placed on injured reserve on October 12, Celebrini has been working towards his comeback and finally rejoined team activities on Halloween. During Monday’s practice, he participated in full contact drills and even centered the Sharks’ top line, indicating his readiness to return to game action.
The Sharks have struggled in Celebrini’s absence, with a record of 3-8-2, but they managed to secure three consecutive wins last week. Celebrini’s return is expected to provide a significant boost to the team, especially considering his impressive performance at Boston University, where he won the 2023-24 Hobey Baker Award.
During his time at Boston University, Celebrini played a key role in helping the Terriers reach the NCAA Frozen Four, showcasing his offensive prowess with 64 points in just 38 games. His return to the Sharks lineup is sure to be eagerly anticipated by fans and teammates alike, as they look to turn their season around with their star rookie back in action.