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Mack Making Magic - Ryan Kennedy - May 23, 2022 - Vol. 75, Issue. 15

IN THE USHL, TEAMS can sign a player to a tender contract, giving up a first-round pick while guaranteeing the youngster will play a specified percentage of the team’s games the following season. There’s risk involved in committing to a rookie like that, but the Chicago Steel have had good luck with the process with recent tenders such as Adam Fantilli and Jayden Perron. This year, Chicago tendered two players: Mack Celebrini and Michael Hage (for whom they gave up their second-rounder).

Celebrini is coming off an incredible season at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, where he led the U-18 prep team in scoring with 50 goals and 117 points in 52 games, despite being one of only two 2006-born Sabres. This was one year after Celebrini played for Shattuck’s U-14 team, mind you. “It was awesome, especially with the team we had,” Celebrini said. “Coach (Tom) Ward is great, and, overall, it was actually amazing. Our team was awesome to be around, and it was an amazing atmosphere. I don’t think I’ve ever developed this much in two years. The ability to get on the ice in the morning and practice, the weight room always being open and skating after practice has really helped me grow.”

So, it was a tough decision for Celebrini to make, but the gifted center believed the time was right to take the next step and challenge himself in the USHL. For the Steel, any worry about the risk of signing Celebrini to a tender evaporated once they met him in person. “It’s not a decision we take lightly,” said Steel GM Mike Garman. “We had him down on a visit, and the first thing that stood out is that he’s just a first-class person, so humble, so polite, so respectful. Culturally, when an elite player has that character, it means a ton to us.”

Celebrini comes from an intriguing background. Born and raised in Vancouver to soccer-playing parents, he’s one of four athletic kids (older brother Aiden was his teammate at Shattuck this season). His dad, Rick Celebrini, is the director of sports medicine and performance for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, so Mack briefly lived in Northern California before heading to Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Minnesota.

And while Celebrini hasn’t had a chance to hang out with Steph Curry or Draymond Green, he has been able to reap the benefits of having a father who understands high-level athletics. “It’s amazing,” he said. “With his experience, he’s always helped me and my brother stay loose and prevent injuries. He’s really helped us and guided us in where we want to go and make decisions. He’s been a big part of everything.”

On the ice, Celebrini looks poised to be an impact player for years to come. His hands and mind sync up perfectly to create offense at the snap of a finger. Like his parents, he has a soccer background, which has aided his hockey development. “I feel like soccer has helped me so much in making quick decisions and scanning for open areas,” Celebrini said. “Hockey’s a lot faster, but it just helps with vision and making moves quicker, seeing holes and finding opportunities.”

Along with his skills, Celebrini also brings intangibles with him. “Man, does this kid compete,” Garman said. “He just works, and you can tell he’s a great teammate by the way he plays. He plays the game honestly, which is rare for a kid that young and that skilled.”

And while the Steel will lose big guns like Fantilli and Carolina Hurricanes pick Jackson Blake to the NCAA next season, players like Perron will return to help set the table for Celebrini. “We have a lot of resources here, and the ethos of our program is to provide resources for our players to become pros,” Garman said. “Jayden got better every single day this year. What he accomplished in this league at his age was truly remarkable, and he always does things to the highest degree, whether it was in the weight room or watching video. I think Mack is going to approach things the same way.”

And if he does, the Steel will have yet another player coveted by NHL teams once the 2024 draft comes around. 

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