Team Canada superstar Nathan MacKinnon has placed Olympic rookie Macklin Celebrini in elite company declaring the 19-year-old San Jose Sharks center the second best player in the world behind only Connor McDavid.
The endorsement came following Canada’s 2-0 start at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, where Celebrini has recorded two goals and an assist while becoming the youngest NHL Canadian player to compete in an Olympic tournament.
“Maybe the second best player in the world,” MacKinnon said of his teenage linemate.
The Colorado Avalanche star revealed that Connor McDavid himself validated the assessment:
“After [my] goal, Connor said to Mac right away, you know, it’s all him.”
The teenager had scored Canada’s first goal against Czechia in their Olympic opener and added a goal and assist in a 5-1 victory over Switzerland.
MacKinnon was equally enthusiastic about sharing the ice with McDavid.
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t cool. I love the game. I’m inspired by Connor. I think he’s the best & he pushes me to be even better,” MacKinnon said. “To play on a line with him is a blessing.”
McDavid also mentioned how he admires MacKinnon and acknowledged the easy chemistry they have on the ice.
Macklin Celebrini was nervous after his first-ever Olympic penalty
Meanwhile, Team Canada veteran Drew Doughty shared insight into how 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini reacted to his first-ever Olympic penalty during Canada’s matchup against Switzerland.
With 10 minutes remaining in the game and Canada leading 4-1, Celebrini took a tripping penalty on J.J. Moser in the offensive zone near the boards in the Swiss end. Despite the comfortable lead, the rookie was visibly dejected as he headed to the penalty box. Doughty shared that the youngster was feeling like he had let his team down at the time.
“He told me he was s—ting his pants when he went in the box,” Doughty revealed. “I was like, ‘Buddy, what do you got to worry about? You got the best PKers in Canada behind you.'”
Celebrini emerged from the penalty box and immediately launched into an aggressive forecheck, stripping the puck from Dean Kukan in the corner. He would then slide it to Connor McDavid coming from behind,and MacKinnon buried the rebound to make it 5-1.
Team Canada are first place in Group A and will face their final group opponent France before advancing to the knockout rounds.
Edited by Anjum Rajonno
