Macklin Celebrini Makes History on EA Sports’ ‘NHL 27’ Cover

San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini is making waves in the hockey world with an outstanding performance. Celebrini, at just 20 years old, amassed an impressive 115 points in the past season (46 goals, 70 assists) after posting 63 points in his rookie year.

His stellar performance allowed him to secure a spot on Team Canada’s roster for the 2026 Olympics, where Canada claimed silver. Celebrini’s efforts have also earned him the honor of being featured on EA Sports’ ‘NHL 27’ cover, making him the youngest player to do so in the franchise’s history.

Celebrini’s selection marks the first time a San Jose Shark has graced the game’s cover since Owen Nolan appeared on ‘NHL 2001′. This achievement underscores his influence in the NHL as well as the Sharks’ emerging presence.

Historically, while several young players have been featured on the ‘NHL’ cover, none have been as young as Celebrini. Notable players such as Alex Ovechkin and Connor McDavid appeared on covers for ‘NHL 07’ and ‘NHL 18’ respectively, but were older than Celebrini at the time.

Despite this achievement, fans, especially those of the Sharks, hope Celebrini avoids the so-called cover athlete curse that could hinder an athlete’s career.

The Sharks, with their roster of young talent, narrowly missed the playoffs last season by just four points. Optimism remains high for their potential playoff return in the upcoming season.

Matthew Reigle contributes as a writer for OutKick.