SAN JOSE – In the end, San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini could not be denied the chance to be an Olympian.

Already considered one of the NHL’s best players, Celebrini, 19, joined elite company on Wednesday as he was officially named to the star-studded Canadian team’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.

Celebrini was the youngest player named to the Canadian team, which includes Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, and several other top NHL players.

Celebrini, a native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, and a former player with the Jr. Sharks, made an air-tight case over the last two-plus months to be named to the prestigious team, as he entered Wednesday as the NHL’s third-leading scorer with 60 points in 39 games.

The Canadian team features 14 forwards, eight defensemen, and three goalies. The men’s hockey tournament begins on Feb. 11, and Canada’s first game is on Feb. 12 against Czechia. The Canadians, Americans, and Swedish teams are considered the favorites to win gold.

Here are the 2⃣5⃣ players who will wear the 🍁 at #MilanoCortina2026! 🇨🇦

Voici les 2⃣5⃣ joueurs qui porteront la 🍁 à Milan-Cortina! 🇨🇦

ROSTER: https://t.co/5I8Uz2Psfa
FORMATION : https://t.co/zbOWuEgdPQ@TeamCanada | @Equipe_Canada pic.twitter.com/dTc1YKengx

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 31, 2025

Doug Armstrong, Canada’s general manager, said he and his management team met in early December and reached consensus on 12 forwards, seven defencemen, and two goalies, with Celebrini among the 12 forwards.

Celebrini played for Canada at the World Championship in May, spending time as Crosby’s linemate. Fellow Olympians MacKinnon, Bo Horvat of the New York Islanders, and goalie Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues were also on that World Championship team.

Armstrong spoke with Celebrini on Wednesday morning and said since last season, “He’s really taken off. He’s gone to the Worlds. He fit in very well socially with the top players in the game, and his product on the ice speaks for itself. So he worked his way on. His resume is shorter, but is extremely filled out for his age.”

Sharks players who have represented Canada in previous Olympics include Owen Nolan (2002), Joe Thornton (2006, 2010), Patrick Marleau (2010, 2014), Dan Boyle (2010), Dany Heatley (2010), and Marc-Edouard Vlasic (2014).

With 21 goals and 39 assists, Celebrini has been involved in exactly half of the Sharks’ 120 goals this season, as he’s led San Jose to a 19-17-3 record after the team had the NHL’s worst mark at 20-50-12 last year.

Celebrini’s production has actually increased in the weeks leading up to Wednesday’s announcement. Celebrini had 37 points in 26 games through October and November, but in 13 games so far this month, he has seven goals and 16 assists.

*cue O Canada* pic.twitter.com/B5Uhgw9NVq

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) December 31, 2025

McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Makar, Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point, and Florida winger Sam Reinhart were named to Canada’s Olympic roster in June.

Also named to the Canadian team on Wednesday were Anthony Cirelli (Tampa Bay), Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay), Brad Marchand (Florida), Mitch Marner (Vegas), and Mark Stone (Vegas). The blue line led by Makar includes Drew Doughty (Los Angeles), Thomas Harley (Dallas), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg), Colton Parayko (St. Louis), Travis Sanheim (Philadelphia), Shea Theodore (Vegas), and Devon Toews (Colorado).

The Associated Press contributed to this story. Please check back for updates.