Macklin Celebrini, 20, named San Jose Sharks captain

Macklin Celebrini's stunning second season led to another honor as he was named one of the youngest captains in NHL history. The San Jose Sharks released a video on Friday, Sept. 25, showing Hall of Famer and former Sharks captain Joe Thornton handing Celebrini a jersey with the "C." Celebrini repla

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Macklin Celebrini's stunning second season led to another honor as he was named one of the youngest captains in NHL history.

The San Jose Sharks released a video on Friday, Sept. 25, showing Hall of Famer and former Sharks captain Joe Thornton handing Celebrini a jersey with the "C." Celebrini replaces Logan Couture (2019-25). San Jose went without a captain last season.

"Your hard work, the way you lead our group, we just watched you in training camp going double shifts there," Sharks general manager Mike Grier told Celebrini in the video. "You're pushing the group, so this is a well-deserved honor."

Celebrini's promotion at 20 years, 104 days old is a logical progression for the 2024 No. 1 overall pick who's entering his third NHL season.

From

one Sharks captain to another. Joe Thornton presented Macklin Celebrini with the C. pic.twitter.com/iqPYRsN2tW
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 25, 2026

The 2024 Hobey Baker Award winner as college hockey's top men's player is noted for his maturity and has put up big numbers on the ice. Following a 63-point rookie season, he broke San Jose's franchise record for single-season scoring last season with 115 points. The Sharks improved by 34 points and missed the playoffs by four points.

Celebrini was a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award for most outstanding player, as voted by his fellow players. He also played for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, winning a silver medal and finishing second in scoring with 10 points in six games.

This summer, the Sharks demonstrated Celebrini's value to the team by making him the NHL's highest-paid player with an eight-year extension averaging $18.8 million. That number since has been passed by Cale Makar's $20.4 million.

Celebrini received a national marketing honor, too, by becoming the youngest player to be featured on the cover of EA Sports' NHL video game.

He will be the youngest captain in the NHL this season. The Chicago Blackhawks named Connor Bedard captain at age 21 this offseason as he enters his fourth season.

Youngest captains in NHL history

Celebrini is one of the youngest captains in NHL history.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid was the NHL's youngest captain at 19 years, 266 days when he was named in 2016. Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier were also named captain before they turned 20.

Chicago's Jonathan Toews was 20 years, 79 days old when he was named captain.

List of NHL captains

Celebini is the sixth NHL captain named this month, joining the Anaheim Ducks' Mikael Granlund, Los Angeles Kings' Drew Doughty, Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Bedard, New York Islanders' Bo Horvat and the St. Louis Blues' Robert Thomas. Here is a list of the 27 NHL captains and the five vacancies.