Lead: On Dec. 31, 2025, San Jose Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini was named to Team Canada’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina, after a selection process led by general manager Doug Armstrong. Celebrini, who first caught Armstrong’s attention during a Nov. 21, 2024 meeting at Enterprise Center, strengthened his case with a strong showing at the 2025 IIHF World Championship and a fast start in the NHL. The 18‑to‑19‑year‑old forward’s production—123 points (46 goals, 77 assists) through his first 109 NHL games—and his World Championship performance helped him leapfrog several high‑profile candidates. The announcement kept much of the 4 Nations core intact while generating debate over notable omissions such as Connor Bedard and Mark Scheifele.
Key Takeaways
- Macklin Celebrini was named to Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic roster on Dec. 31, 2025, after being monitored by GM Doug Armstrong since Nov. 21, 2024.
- Celebrini registered 123 points (46 goals, 77 assists) across his first 109 NHL games entering the announcement, and had 55 points before Christmas this season, tying a teenage mark held by Sidney Crosby.
- His performance at the 2025 IIHF World Championship included six points (three goals, three assists) in eight games and a plus‑9 rating, per Team Canada evaluations.
- Team Canada retained 19 players from its 4 Nations championship roster; six new additions not on that squad include Celebrini, Bo Horvat, Tom Wilson, Nick Suzuki, and goalies Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper.
- Notable players left off the Olympic roster include Connor Bedard, Mark Scheifele, Sam Bennett and Seth Jarvis—decisions expected to spur debate.
- Coaches and teammates cited Celebrini’s 200‑foot game, defensive engagement, physicality and chemistry with veteran stars as decisive traits in selection discussions.
Background
Team Canada’s Olympic selection process began in earnest after the 4 Nations Face‑Off and continued through the NHL season and international tournaments. Doug Armstrong, who oversees Canada’s entries for both the 4 Nations and the 2026 Olympic delegation, said he first flagged Celebrini during a Nov. 21, 2024 meeting at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, when Celebrini was 18 and had just started his NHL career.
Canada’s strategy emphasized continuity: the 4 Nations squad that won the title in February provided the nucleus for the Olympic team, and 19 of those players were retained. That approach prioritized existing chemistry, defensive pairings and goaltending tandems that had already been tested together in high‑pressure situations.
At the same time, international events such as the 2025 IIHF World Championship served as real‑time auditions. Younger players who were able to fit into established locker‑room cultures and contribute in a middle‑six or specialty role gained traction. For Celebrini, training stints with elite peers and on‑ice adaptability accelerated his rise in the eyes of decision‑makers.
Main Event
The roster reveal on Dec. 31, 2025 confirmed that Celebrini made the cut as one of the team’s younger forwards. Armstrong described a multi‑stage evaluation that considered NHL production, international play, fit with veteran leaders and projected role in Milan–Cortina. Celebrini’s World Championship showing—six points over eight games and a plus‑9—was repeatedly cited as evidence he could handle both the pace and personnel of top international competition.
The selection process proved selective: many established NHL scorers and 4 Nations contributors were left off the Olympic list. Connor Bedard (Chicago) and Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg), among others, were omitted, prompting commentary about role needs, roster balance and injury status. Armstrong acknowledged close calls and last‑second deliberations for several names.
Canada added six players who were not on the 4 Nations roster: Celebrini, Bo Horvat, Tom Wilson, Nick Suzuki, plus goalies Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper. The team also kept goalie Jordan Binnington from the 4 Nations roster, underscoring the coaching staff’s desire for a mix of continuity and targeted reinforcements.
San Jose Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky and veteran teammates emphasized Celebrini’s maturity and work ethic. Warsofsky pointed to Celebrini’s 200‑foot game, competitive puck battles and defensive responsibility as differentiators that complement his scoring. Celebrini’s training sessions with top players were framed as important development experiences that translated into readiness for the Olympic stage.
Analysis & Implications
Celebrini’s selection reflects a broader Team Canada emphasis on versatility and two‑way play, not solely offensive upside. In tournament hockey—where line matchups, special teams and tight defensive play often decide outcomes—coaches frequently prefer forwards who can contribute reliably on draws, penalty kills and in late‑game defensive zone situations. Celebrini’s described attributes fit that mold.
From a roster‑building perspective, keeping the 4 Nations core intact reduces the risk of disrupting established chemistry while allowing the staff to insert a few targeted skill sets. Celebrini provides youthful scoring and playmaking, while players like Wilson add physical net‑front presence and Horvat offers face‑off strength and defensive zone coverage—traits explicitly cited by Armstrong.
For Celebrini personally, the Olympic slot fast‑tracks his international profile and places him in a pressured environment with elite veterans—valuable for his development curve. It also raises expectations: opposing teams will scheme for his linemates and he will be asked to execute defined roles rather than purely chase individual stats.
Internationally, Canada’s choices may shape other nations’ planning and line matchups in Milan–Cortina. Selecting a younger, dynamic forward over some seasoned names signals confidence in blending youth with experience, a model other federations may mirror when balancing scoring with defensive responsibility.
| Player | Teenage points before Christmas (2025 season) |
|---|---|
| Macklin Celebrini | 55 |
| Sidney Crosby | 55 |
| Wayne Gretzky | 51 |
The table highlights the historical context of Celebrini’s early‑season scoring. While raw scoring is not the sole determinant for Olympic selection, the combination of high offensive production and positive defensive indicators strengthened his case. The staff appears to have weighted productivity, international poise and role fit in their final calculus.
Reactions & Quotes
Team officials and teammates offered concise public assessments of Celebrini’s selection, highlighting both performance and character.
“Since our first meeting, he’s really taken off … he fit in well socially with the top players in the game, and his product on the ice speaks for itself. So he worked his way on.”
Doug Armstrong, Team Canada GM
Armstrong framed Celebrini’s path as a combination of on‑ice output and off‑ice integration with veteran leaders—factors that made him a manageable risk despite a shorter professional resume.
“I think it’s obvious. How could you not take him? He was at Worlds. Got to see him up close there. He’s an amazing player.”
Nathan MacKinnon, Team Canada teammate
MacKinnon emphasized first‑hand observation at the World Championship and the value of demonstrated chemistry with established stars. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky added that Celebrini’s training with veterans and his competitive habits made him ready for the Olympic spotlight.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Connor Bedard would have been selected had he been fully healthy remains unclear; Armstrong said Bedard’s name was considered until the last moments.
- The precise internal ranking of candidates such as Mark Scheifele and Sam Bennett has not been released and therefore the full rationale for their exclusions is not public.
- Reports that certain lineup choices were influenced by late‑season medical evaluations or private meetings with staff have not been independently confirmed.
Bottom Line
Macklin Celebrini’s inclusion on Team Canada’s Olympic roster is the product of rapid professional production, a strong international audition at the 2025 Worlds, and positive endorsements from veteran teammates and staff. Canada’s decision balances an established 4 Nations core with selective additions designed to address specific tactical needs—scoring, face‑offs and net‑front physicality.
The move will likely spark debate about the omitted veterans, but it reflects a selection philosophy that values two‑way responsibility and locker‑room fit as much as raw scoring. For Celebrini, Milan–Cortina offers both a high‑profile development opportunity and a stage to solidify his role among the game’s elite at an unusually young age.
Sources
- NHL.com (sports media report summarizing roster announcement and interviews)
- IIHF — 2025 World Championship (official tournament statistics and game summaries)