'He Lit Us Up': Macklin Celebrini Has High Praise Sharks' Will Smith
Projected No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini was asked about San Jose Sharks prospect Will Smith during his time with the media at the 2024 NHL Draft Combine.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports - 'He Lit Us Up': Macklin Celebrini Has High Praise Sharks' Will SmithProjected No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini was asked about San Jose Sharks prospect Will Smith during his time with the media at the 2024 NHL Draft Combine.
Smith and Celebrini faced off multiple times this season as they played for rival schools. Smith and Boston College got the better of Celebrini and Boston University in three of the four games.
"It wasn't very fun playing against him. He's a special player," Celebrini said. "I've played against him for the last three or four years, so I've seen a lot of him. He's a great player, super shifty, super smooth. Every time we went up against them, he lit us up, so you know, he's a great player."
Smith had five goals and three assists in four games against BU this season, including his iconic four-goal performance in the Hockey East Championship.
Celebrini hasn't decided whether to turn pro or return to BU and told the media that he will decide after the draft. One of his main reasons for wanting to return to BU is that the team did not win anything.
"It would just give me a little bit more time to develop. There's nothing wrong with just taking your time and improving a little bit more, getting stronger, getting bigger, and faster," Celebrini said. "In those ways, another year would benefit me, just to get more physically ready. Make sure I'm very fit and strong when I try to make that jump."
His decision has sparked debates across hockey media, including some of the top insiders of the NHL.
Celebrini will complete the physical testing portion of the combine over the weekend.
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