Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr praised Macklin Celebrini’s rapid rise in the NHL ahead of his Olympic debut. Celebrini will represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics and has drawn significant attention due to his strong play.
Kerr is no stranger to the Olympics He helped guide Team USA’s men’s basketball team to back-to-back gold medals in 2021 and 2024. Despite being American, Kerr maintains a close relationship with Celebrini’s family.
Celebrini’s father, Rick, has worked for the Warriors organization for years and currently serves as the VP of player health and performance. Through his role with Golden State, some players and coaches have gotten to know his son, Macklin.
Celebrini has made remarkable progress and earned his place in the Hart Trophy conversations in only his second NHL season. During a recent press conference, Kerr reiterated that he is rooting for Celebrini’s continued success.
Kerr said Celebrini’s meteoric rise has been incredible to watch. He expressed excitement about seeing him take the ice at the Milano Cortina Games.
“[Celebrini’ rise is] pretty exciting,” Kerr told reporters. “I can’t wait to watch him play in the Olympics and Rick is heading over there with the family to see him, which is really exciting,”
Steve Kerr Follows Macklin Celebrini’s San Jose Sharks Closely
Steve Kerr also revealed that he has been following Macklin Celebrini‘s season with the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks selected Celebrini 1st overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, and he has since contributed to a much faster turnaround.
Since joining the Sharks, Celebrini has shown the potential to become a generational star in the league. He has sparked interest in the team due to his exciting style of play alongside young San Jose’s young core.
The buzz surrounding the team has reached Kerr, who said he has been following the team closely.
“I follow it. You know, I look at the box scores every day and [the San Jose Sharks are] really having a great turnaround season. It’s so fun to see [Celebrini] doing so well, especially the context of it all,” Kerr said during his press conference. “He was hanging around here as a kid who was about 14 and now, all of a sudden, he’s in the MVP race in the NHL.”
Who Will Celebrini Play With in His Olympic Debut?
One of the biggest talking points in men’s Olympic hockey is the line combinations for the top nations. Each team has its own unique style of play. Canada, however, features some of the NHL’s top players, primarily at the center position.
Because of the abudance of centers, some players will be asked to play out of position. Celebrini will be among those players.
According to the latest line combinations, Celerbini will have a key role at the Olympics. He is expected to begin the tournament on a line with Tom Wilson and Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid.
The combination is generating is plenty of excitement. Celebrini and McDavid bring exceptional pace and skill, while Wilson’s aggressive play will certainly create more space on the ice.
Warriors’ Steve Kerr Praises Macklin Celebrini Ahead of Olympic Debut