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Greg Wyshynski, ESPNJun 10, 2024, 02:33 PM ET
CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.
SUNRISE, Fla. — Connor McDavid remembers when he was Macklin Celebrini.
Before McDavid was drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015, he was given a tour of the Stanley Cup Final ahead of Game 3 between the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning. He met Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, and glimpsed what their processes were like during a championship series.
“It was really cool just getting a chance to meet some of those guys,” McDavid said.
On Monday, McDavid and the Oilers chatted with Celebrini, who is expected to be the top pick in the 2024 NHL draft, and other prospects after the morning skate prior to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+).
“Seemed like some great kids,” McDavid said. “They said they had fun in the combine, which we were surprised at.”
Celebrini had previously met McDavid at a BioSteel camp in Halifax but was happy to get more time with him Monday.
“He was just asking about the trip, how it’s going,” Celebrini said. “It was awesome to talk to him, especially on a big game day, so we all really appreciated it.”
He was also relieved McDavid didn’t bring up the fact that Celebrini, a Vancouver native, was cheering on the Canucks against the Oilers at Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.
“No, he didn’t. I don’t know if he saw that, luckily,” said Celebrini, laughing.
The NHL draft is scheduled for June 28 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The San Jose Sharks own the No. 1 pick and were one of eight teams that Celebrini met with at the recent draft combine.
Celebrini has ties to the Bay Area. He is the son of Rick Celebrini, the Golden State Warriors’ director of sports medicine and performance. Macklin lived in the San Jose area and played for the San Jose Junior Sharks 14U AAA team.
“It’d be very cool if I get selected there,” said Celebrini, adding that he hasn’t talked about his NHL plans with…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40321458/macklin-celebrini-likely-no-1-nhl-draft-gets-stanley-cup-glimpse
Author : Greg Wyshynski
Publish date : 2024-06-10 19:37:30
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