SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks centerman Macklin Celebrini will reportedly play for Team Canada at next month’s IIHF World Championship in Switzerland.
Celebrini will join fellow NHL stars Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets and New York Islanders Mat Barzal, both forwards, and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly on Team Canada, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
Forward Gavin McKenna, believed to be one of the top players available in June’s NHL Draft, has also committed to play. McKenna had 15 goals and 36 assists in 35 games as a freshman for Penn State this past season.
After the Sharks’ season ended, a fatigued Celebrini said on April 18 that he was not sure if he would make himself available to once again play for Canada. Celebrini played all 82 games for the Sharks this season and led the team in average ice time per game, and played for Canada at the Winter Olympics in Italy in February, capturing a silver medal.
Celebrini finished the season as the NHL’s fourth-leading scorer with 115 points, a new Sharks single-season franchise record.
This marks the second straight year that Celebrini will play at the World Championship.
Celebrini played alongside his childhood idol, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby, in last year’s tournament in Europe and had six points in eight games. But Canada lost 2-1 to co-host Denmark in the quarterfinals. The American team that was led by Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky and included San Jose forward Will Smith captured the gold medal.
This year’s World Championship will take place in Switzerland from May 15 to 31.
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