Max Miller
San Jose Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini will once again wear a Team Canada jersey this summer as he plays at Worlds.
Per TSN Insider Darren Dreger, Celebrini is headed to Switzerland to play for his country at the 2026 IIHF World Hockey Championship.
This will be the second time the San Jose Sharks forward heads to Worlds. Celebrini first played with his idol, Sidney Crosby, during the 2025 IIHF World Hockey Championship. Crobsy hasn’t committed to this year’s team because his Pittsburgh Penguins are still alive in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After playing all 82 games this season and logging heavy minutes during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina for Canada, Celebrini wasn’t sure if he’d go to worlds. The Sharks centerman told reporters during his exit interview that he needed to make sure he did what was best for his physical health.
“I knew that question was coming. I got a call. I’m still thinking, but I’m not sure what I’m gonna do,” Celebrini said. “Yeah, with no break, it was a little tough. But, I mean, every guy was going through it, so there’s no excuse. A little bit tired now, and I mean, I’m sure if the season is still going, I’d still have a lot of energy, but now that it’s all over, I think it’s kind of hitting me a little bit more.”
The San Jose Sharks put together a maintenance plan after Celebrini returned from the Olympics to help keep him fresher during the stretch run to the end of the season. Celebrini likely benefitted from that, as he went on to break Joe Thornton’s all-time single-season points record with 115 points.
Worlds begin on May 15th, with Canada’s first game against a tough opponent: Team Sweden. The Sharks center should be a big factor in Canada’s lineup, especially without top players like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Crosby.
More About:Sharks News