Sharks star Macklin Celebrini just made an impressive bit of NHL and video game history

July 14, 2026 - 22:37

San Jose Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini has added another milestone to his already remarkable season. The 18-year-old center has been named the cover athlete for EA Sports' upcoming NHL 26 video game, making him the youngest player in history to receive the honor. Celebrini beats out previous young cover stars like Alex Ovechkin and Connor McDavid, both of whom were in their early 20s when they appeared on the cover.

The announcement came as a surprise to some fans, given that Celebrini has only played a handful of NHL games. But his impact has been immediate. Since being drafted first overall by the Sharks last summer, Celebrini has shown the kind of skill and poise that usually takes years to develop. He leads all rookies in scoring and has quickly become the face of a rebuilding Sharks franchise.

EA Sports said in a statement that Celebrini represents the next generation of hockey talent. The company also noted that his style of play and marketability made him a natural choice. For Celebrini, the cover is a dream come true. He grew up playing the NHL video game series and said he used to imagine seeing his own face on the box.

The game is set for release this fall. Celebrini will join a short list of players who have graced the cover, including Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Sidney Crosby. For now, the teenager is focused on finishing his rookie season strong, but he admitted the cover news has been hard to keep quiet about.