The San Jose Sharks have started the 2025-26 season strongly, with Macklin Celebrini emerging as a standout rookie whose on-ice talent and character have earned praise from teammates.

Veteran defenseman Vincent Desharnais has publicly lauded Celebrini, calling him special both as a player and as a person, and highlighting his leadership through daily hard work.

Celebrini has already recorded multiple hat tricks in the season, including a 3-2 overtime win over the Utah Mammoth and an earlier hat trick against the New York Rangers.

Through 20 games this season, Celebrini is at 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists), ranking tied for second in league scoring and approaching leaders like Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid.

The leadership and work ethic Celebrini demonstrates in the locker room appear to be raising the level of preparation and performance for his teammates.

Desharnais has repeatedly described Celebrini as special, humble, and relentlessly improving, often noting he’s among the first on the ice to set an example for others.

The piece features Bleacher Report branding and engagement prompts, while centering on Desharnais' remarks about Celebrini.

The Sharks have shown notable improvement from last season, moving from a 20-50-12 record to 9-8-3, and sit within two points of a Western Conference wild-card spot.

Celebrini was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and posted 63 points as a rookie (25 goals, 38 assists), underscoring his rapid progression.

If Celebrini sustains this pace, he could help the Sharks break their playoff drought dating back to 2019, fueling rising fan interest in his potential postseason impact.