Boston U. forward Macklin Celebrini plays against RIT during an NCAA hockey game on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Sioux Falls, S.D. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Andy Clayton-KingThe well-known physiotherapist in the Vancouver area, with a resume that included working alongside Canadian Olympians, basketball icon Steve Nash, the NHL's Canucks and Major League Soccer's Whitecaps, was weighing two NBA job offers in 2018.There was plenty to consider — including hockey.
Some six years later, the Celebrinis will be in sizzling Las Vegas to watch Macklin live out his dream. "The physicality of the play, the maturity of the game," the six-foot, 190-pound forward said when asked why he chose U.S. college hockey over Canadian major junior. "Playing against those older guys … you can't really get away with a lot."
"Just seeing the different things they do to prepare themselves, prepare their bodies," said Celebrini, who again hit the road to play at Shattuck-St. Mary's School, Sidney Crosby's Minnesota alma mater, with older brother Aiden after one season with the Jr. Sharks. Macklin and Aiden, his teammate at Boston University and a Canucks draft pick, then really started to pay attention on their own hanging around Golden State's practice facility.
"I'm sure he picked it up watching TV," Rick said of one standout sequence. "But he's looking at the score clock, he's looking at bench, he's directing his guys at the faceoff.And as the hockey got more serious, so did Macklin.