Sharks placed Celebrini on IR with a lower body injury before the vs. game. Ducks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Sharks placed rookie center Macklin Celebrini on injured reserve Saturday morning due to a lower-body injury, two days after he made his NHL debut.
The move means Celebrini will not play Saturday night against the Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center, and he will miss extended periods of time.
Celebrini will miss at least seven days of the last match he played.
The #SJSharks have recalled D Jack Thompson from @sjbarracuda.
Additionally, C Macklin Celebrini has been placed on injured reserve.
— San Jose Sharks PR (@SanJoseSharksPR) October 12, 2024
The 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick starred in his first NHL regular-season game, scoring two points in the first period of San Jose’s 5-4 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues.
Although Celebrini didn’t seem bothered during Thursday’s match, something clearly happened that led to the 18-year-old’s absence from Friday’s team skate.
Speaking to reporters Friday, Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky revealed the extent of Celebrini’s ailment.
“Lower body,” Warsofsky said of Celebrini’s injury. “He is currently being evaluated.”
Celebrini’s presence immediately shocked the home crowd and created an electric home-ice atmosphere not present in recent seasons.
The rookie’s first career NHL point was a stunning backhanded goal that deflected off the right skate of Blues defenseman Matthew Kessel and past goaltender Joel Hoffer, giving fans a glimpse of what’s to come after being hailed as the savior of the Sharks.
San Jose will be tested early in Celebrini’s tenure, relying on other players to step up if the Sharks want to end their two-game homestand with a win before heading off to face the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.
Download and follow the San Jose Hockey Now podcast
