TORONTO – Macklin Celebrini walked into Canada’s locker room at the men’s world hockey championship back in May with wide eyes.

The teenage phenom’s stall and nameplate were strategically nestled between Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. Celebrini then joined Crosby and MacKinnon over the summer for a series of skating sessions.

“They were so great to me,” the San Jose Sharks forward recalled of the two superstars. “Just being around them, seeing two legends, how they carry themselves, approach every day. Two guys I looked up to growing up … pretty cool.”

Celebrini could be in for another pinch-me moment alongside Crosby and MacKinnon at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The 19-year-old centre sat third in NHL scoring this season with 43 points (15 goals, 28 assists) through 31 games heading

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