At the age of 19, Macklin Celebrini has been one of Canada’s best players in Milan, and the Maple Leafs naturally have taken notice.<\/p>\n
Get the latest from Terry Koshan straight to your inbox Sign Up <\/p>\n
Published Feb 20, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 1\u00a0hour ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n When the Maple Leafs visit the San Jose Sharks on April 2, John Tavares might have a few words for Macklin Celebrini.<\/p>\n Words of congratulations, or something along those lines.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Tavares is among the Leafs \u2014 and just about everyone else watching the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina \u2014 who have been in awe of what Celebrini has been doing for Canada at the age of 19.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, it does, it does (blow him away),\u201d Tavares told the Toronto Sun this week. \u201cHe goes over there and he just looks so comfortable with who he is as a player and how he has to play.<\/p>\n \u201cThe stage isn\u2019t anything more than him just having fun and playing his game. Everywhere he goes, things just kind of happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Celebrini followed that script on Friday in Canada\u2019s enthralling 3-2 victory<\/a> against Finland in the semifinals in Milan.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The North Vancouver native did everything but score for Canada, leading the team with eight shots on goal before assisting on Nathan MacKinnon\u2019s power-play winner with 36 seconds remaining in the third period to send Canada to the gold-medal game. When the final horn sounded, Celebrini led all Canadian players in ice time with 25 minutes 53 seconds.<\/p>\n Playing on a line with MacKinnon and Connor McDavid, there has been nothing that Celebrini can\u2019t handle, never mind times when he has been dominant.<\/p>\n Few scoring peers<\/p>\n In five games in Milan, Celebrini\u2019s 10 points (five goals and five assists) had him second among all scorers (behind only McDavid\u2019s 13 points) before the U.S. and Slovakia met in the other semifinal on Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cHis awareness and hockey IQ are off the charts,\u201d Tavares said. \u201cThe tremendous attributes with his skill set, whether it\u2019s puck-handling, playmaking, shooting \u2014 he\u2019s very strong and he wins a tremendous amount of puck battles.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve seen it in his first couple of years in the (NHL) but on a stage like that, it\u2019s pretty remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canada will play for gold after dramatic comeback win vs. Finland in men’s hockey semifinal<\/p>\n![\"Macklin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0221-macklin-celebrini-canada-finland.jpg\")
Macklin Celebrini of Team Canada and Teuvo Teravainen of Team Finland collide during during the Men’s Semifinals Playoff match at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.6.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n![\"Canada's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0221-nathan-mackinnon-goal-canada-jubo.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"Team](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0220-mark-stone-mitch-marner-canada.jpg\")
<\/p>\n