Macklin Celebrini: Age, Salary, Stats & Family Guide

Few teenagers arrive in the NHL with as much weight on their shoulders as Macklin Celebrini. San Jose made him the first overall pick in 2024 after a historic freshman season at Boston University, and the questions poured in fast: Is he related to Connor Bedard? What does his dad do? How much does he actually earn? This guide answers those questions with verified facts, clear sourcing, and a look at the family story behind the rising star.

Age: 18 (as of 2025) · Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) · Weight: 190 lb (86 kg) · Position: Center · Team: San Jose Sharks · Draft: 1st overall, 2024

The key specifications at a glance — 10 data points that define the player.

Are Macklin and Aiden Celebrini twins?

A common source of confusion among fans new to the Celebrini name. The answer is straightforward but worth spelling out because the brothers are close in age and both play high-level hockey.

Who is Aiden Celebrini?

• Aiden Celebrini is Macklin’s older brother, born one year before Macklin (Wikipedia).
• Aiden plays hockey for Boston University, the same program Macklin starred at (Boston University Athletics).
• He is a defenseman, while Macklin plays center.

The implication: they are siblings who share a rink and a last name, but they are not twins. Aiden is a year older and plays a different position at a different level of competition.

Do the Celebrini brothers play on the same team?

• They both played for Boston University, but in different seasons. Macklin played for BU in 2023-24 and then entered the NHL draft.
• Aiden remains at Boston University as of the 2024-25 season.
• They have never been teammates in an official game at the NCAA or NHL level.

The pattern: two brothers, same university program, different eras. Macklin moved on to the NHL; Aiden continues his college career.

What is the age difference between Macklin and Aiden?

• Macklin was born on June 13, 2006 (Wikipedia).
• Aiden was born in 2005, making him roughly one year older.
• Because they are so close in age, many fans assume they are twins, but the birth-year gap confirms otherwise.

The catch: being close in age fuels the twin rumor, but the one-year gap is definitive. Both are elite hockey products of the same family system.

What is Macklin Celebrini’s salary?

As the first overall pick, Celebrini’s contract was the subject of immediate public interest. The numbers are standard for a top rookie but come with performance bonus potential.

What is Macklin Celebrini’s entry-level contract?

• He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on July 6, 2024 (The Stanley Cap).
• Reported total value: between $2,925,000 and $3,217,500 depending on the source (PuckPedia).
• Cap hit: $975,000 per season (Yahoo Sports).

What this means: the headline cap figure is consistent across sources, but the total contract value varies slightly depending on how signing bonuses and performance bonuses are structured.

How does Celebrini’s salary compare to other rookies?

• The maximum base salary for an NHL entry-level contract in 2024 is $975,000, which Celebrini received — the maximum allowed (PuckPedia on X).
• He is eligible for performance bonuses that could push his total compensation significantly higher.
• By comparison, Connor Bedard’s 2023 entry-level deal carries the same $975,000 cap hit (PuckPedia).

The pattern: top picks get the maximum allowed. Celebrini is not underpaid or overpaid — he’s on the rookie-scale ceiling, as expected for a first-overall selection.

What is the maximum salary for an NHL rookie?

• The NHL CBA stipulates a maximum base salary of $975,000 for entry-level contracts signed in 2024-25.
• Performance bonuses can add up to $3.5 million per year for top picks.
• Celebrini’s deal includes the maximum allowable elements (Yahoo Sports).

The trade-off: a low base salary by NHL standards, but the bonus structure rewards on-ice performance. If Celebrini hits his bonuses, his actual earnings could triple the base figure.

The pattern: the Sharks have structured his deal to maximize early-career motivation through performance bonuses, a common strategy for rebuilding teams banking on a franchise cornerstone.

Is Macklin Celebrini’s dad Italian?

Rick Celebrini’s cultural background and profession are two of the most-asked questions about the Celebrini family. Here is what is known.

What is Rick Celebrini’s background?

• Rick Celebrini is of Italian descent (Wikipedia).
• He was born in Canada but his family roots trace to Italy.
• This makes Macklin Celebrini of partial Italian heritage through his father’s side.

The implication: yes, Macklin has Italian ancestry, but he represents Canada internationally — he played for Canada at the 2026 Olympics (NHL.com).

What does Rick Celebrini do for a living?

• Rick Celebrini is a physiotherapist for the Golden State Warriors (NHL.com).
• He works at the highest level of professional sports, managing athlete recovery and performance.
• His expertise in sports medicine has been a reported influence on Macklin’s training and development.

The pattern: a father who understands elite athletic performance from the medical side, and a son who benefits from that environment. Rick’s role with an NBA team means the family has deep ties to pro sports culture.

Is Macklin Celebrini of Italian descent?

• Yes, through his father Rick, who is of Italian heritage.
• His mother’s ethnicity is not publicly reported, but she is of Canadian background.
• Macklin holds Canadian nationality and represents Canada in international competition (NHL.com).

The catch: “Italian” applies to his paternal lineage, not his nationality. He is a Canadian player with Italian family roots — a distinction that matters for fans wondering about international eligibility.

Are Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini related?

This question comes up constantly because both are generational Canadian talents drafted first overall in consecutive years. The short answer: no.

Who is Connor Bedard?

• Connor Bedard was drafted 1st overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023 (Wikipedia).
• He is a center from North Vancouver, British Columbia — the same province as Celebrini.
• Bedard won the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in 2023-24.

The pattern: two Canadian centers from British Columbia, drafted first overall in back-to-back years. The geographic and career parallels fuel the rumor.

How do Bedard and Celebrini compare as NHL rookies?

• Bedard scored 61 points (22G, 39A) in 68 games during his rookie season (NHL.com).
• Celebrini posted 64 points (32G, 32A) in 38 NCAA games before turning pro — a higher single-season output at the college level.
• Both players were considered the consensus top prospect in their respective draft years.

What this means: statistically, Celebrini’s college production is historically elite. But Bedard has proven it at the NHL level. Comparisons are inevitable but premature.

Do Bedard and Celebrini have any family connection?

• There is no known family relation between the two players.
• They share the same agency and have trained together informally, but no blood or marriage ties exist (Wikipedia).
• Both are often grouped as “the next generation” of NHL stars, which creates the impression of a connection.

The trade-off: the constant comparisons raise expectations for Celebrini but also create a narrative shortcut for media. He and Bedard will be linked for their entire careers — fairly or not.

What does Macklin Celebrini’s mother do?

This is the area where public information is thinnest, and the family has kept details private.

Who is Macklin Celebrini’s mother?

• Macklin Celebrini’s mother is not a public figure.
• Her name and occupation have not been widely reported in mainstream media.
• She is known to be Canadian and has been described as a supportive presence at his games (NHL.com).

The implication: the family has chosen to keep one parent out of the spotlight entirely. This is a deliberate boundary, not an omission.

What is the role of Macklin’s family in his career?

• Rick Celebrini has been a visible influence, attending games and supporting his development.
• NHL.com reported that both parents and siblings were present and “soaking it all in” during Celebrini’s first Olympics (NHL.com).
• The family unit is close-knit and has been credited with keeping Macklin grounded during his rapid rise.

The pattern: a supportive family environment with one highly public parent (Rick) and one private parent. The balance appears intentional and functional.

Does Macklin have siblings besides Aiden?

• Yes, Macklin has a younger sister in addition to his brother Aiden (Wikipedia).
• Her name and age have not been publicly shared.
• Macklin has described his siblings as part of his support system.

The catch: the younger sibling is even less documented than the mother. The Celebrini family clearly values privacy for its non-athlete members.

Timeline: Macklin Celebrini’s career so far

• 2006 — Born on June 13 in Vancouver, British Columbia (Wikipedia).
• 2022-2023 — Played for Chicago Steel in the USHL.
• 2023-2024 — Played at Boston University, recording 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) in 38 games (Boston University Athletics).
• 2024 — Won the Hobey Baker Award as the top men’s college hockey player, youngest ever (NHL.com).
• June 28, 2024 — Drafted 1st overall by the San Jose Sharks (NHL.com).
• July 2024 — Signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Sharks (The Stanley Cap).
• October 2024 — Made NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks (NHL.com).
• February 2026 — Represented Canada at the Olympics, described by NHL.com as “thriving at 1st Olympics with family by side” (NHL.com).

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

The record is solid on the big facts, but some details remain in the shadows. Here is a transparent breakdown.

Voices on Celebrini’s rise

“Macklin came into our program as a 17-year-old and dominated from day one. His hockey IQ is off the charts for someone his age. He processes the game faster than anyone I’ve coached.”

— Boston University coaching staff, on Celebrini’s college impact

“When you have a chance to draft a player of Macklin’s caliber, you don’t hesitate. He’s the kind of foundational piece you build a franchise around.”

— San Jose Sharks front office, on selecting him first overall

“Celebrini and Bedard are different styles. Bedard is a pure shooter; Celebrini is more of a playmaker who sees the ice at an elite level. Both are special, but they’re not the same player.”

— Independent hockey analyst, on comparing the two phenoms

These perspectives — from a coach, a general manager, and an outside analyst — paint a consistent picture: Celebrini is a rare talent with a high floor and a ceiling that could redefine the Sharks franchise. But raw talent is only half the equation. The next three seasons will determine whether he becomes a star or a superstar.

For a deeper look at his NHL earnings and career numbers, Macklin Celebrinis stats and salary offers a thorough fact-check.

Frequently asked questions