How Celebrini deals with the pressure of being the consensus No. 1 draft pick originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Macklin Celebrini was considered the consensus #1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft for over a year, but what kind of pressure does that put on the 18-year-old phenom?
During an interview on “NHL Draft ClassIn the podcast, Celebrini explained how she has managed to deal with the enormous expectations, citing the importance of having a strong support group around her.
“I’ve had an amazing group around me all year,” Celebrini shared. “My family, my friends, my teammates, my coaches. I’ve had a lot of people that I’ve been able to lean on and ask questions of throughout this whole process. Obviously, no matter where you are, no matter where you play, you’re always going to have pressure. Different pressure, different expectations. The most important thing is to do what you can on the ice.
“That’s what I’ve tried to focus on the most, whatever I can do on the ice, just do the best you can and everything else will take care of itself.”
Celebrini is good friends with Chicago Blackhawks superstar Connor Bedard – who was selected first overall in the 2023 NHL Draft – and his brother Aiden was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the sixth round last year.
When asked if Celebrini leaned on anyone who has already been through the draft process he is currently in, the young center detailed the advice he received regarding the transition to the NHL.
“Yeah, I talked to a few guys about it,” Celebrini explained. “They didn’t say anything to really worry about, they said, ‘You should be fit and strong and ready for this anyway, whether you’re prepared or not, you should be fit and ready at this point.’ They said, ‘Just do your best.’ They didn’t worry too much in my mind.”
Although nothing is official, it is almost certain that the Sharks will select Celebrini #1 overall when the 2024 NHL Draft begins on June 28. The future of São José It will largely be determined by Celebrini’s success in the future, but the 18-year-old remains calm, cool and collected as he prepares to bear the weight of such heavy expectations at such a young age.
For now, Celebrini is focused on what he can control, displaying an encouraging level of maturity that is necessary to be the centerpiece of the franchise the Sharks will need him to move forward.
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