Maclin Celebrini, who emerged as a standout player for Canada at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, is back in the U.S. but still grappling with the outcome of the men’s hockey final that awarded him a gold medal.
“We were so close. You can make excuses, but in the end, we didn’t win,” he reflected upon his return to the Sharks on Wednesday. “It’s frustrating. Frustrating that we couldn’t clinch victory despite being right there.”
At just 19, Celebrini made history as the youngest NHL player in Milan and the youngest member of Team Canada. He was the tournament’s top scorer, notching five goals and contributing to a total of 10 points in six games, just behind Connor McDavid, a three-time MVP, who had 13.
The young talent didn’t hit the ice until the overtime, which featured a dramatic finish when Jack Hughes scored, securing the U.S. its first Olympic gold in men’s hockey since 1980.
He shared that the sting of the 2-1 loss will linger with him “forever.”
“People often say you learn more from losses than wins, and that’s certainly true. It hurt,” Celebrini mentioned, revealing a fresh scar beneath his left eye. “When they put that silver medal around our necks, it really hit hard. We stood there for about half an hour, just watching them celebrate.”
His journey back to San Jose was complicated, having to navigate from Milan to Miami before catching a final flight home, with just one practice scheduled before the Sharks resumed their season on Thursday night.
“It’s a challenge getting back from Italy to the West Coast,” Celebrini said, noting the collaboration involved in making this happen. Panthers’ GM Bill Zito confirmed he received a thankful message from the Sharks’ GM Mike Grier for the return of their player.
Though he didn’t explore much of Italy, the presence of family, especially his father Rick, who happens to be the head trainer for the Warriors, added a sense of home. The hockey players didn’t stay at the Olympic Village, but Celebrini enjoyed mingling with athletes from various other sports there.
With 81 points already this season, ranking fourth in the NHL, the Sharks have turned into unexpected playoff contenders after struggling in the previous two seasons. As they prepare for the upcoming games, they sit just five points away from their first postseason since 2019.
Celebrini believes his Olympic experience will be beneficial in this crucial stretch. Several of his teammates, like Pavol Legenda and Filip Kurashev, had their own successful runs during the Olympics, while he was gaining invaluable experience alongside hockey greats such as McDavid and Sidney Crosby.
“I’ve always looked up to a lot of those players,” he said. “Many have Cup wins. Being around them shows you what it takes to reach that level.”
Celebrini expressed admiration for McDavid and McKinnon, who illuminated the intensity of elite practice sessions he experienced.
“There’s a reason the Stanley Cup isn’t settled in a 3-on-3 format,” he noted, while addressing the unique overtime rules. “But it’s the same for everyone, so you can’t complain.”
When asked about the silver medal’s significance, Celebrini remained dismissive, acknowledging his youth and potential to chase the ultimate prize, an Olympic gold. Regarding future Olympics in the French Alps, he paused, a smile breaking through as he said, “Yeah, I’d love to do it again.”
