Hockey History
Celebrini Scores 2nd-Fastest 1st NHL Goal Ever for No. 1 Pick
What a start to Macklin Celebrini’s career.
Just 7:01 into his NHL debut, the 2024 San Jose Sharks’ No. 1 pick attempted a pass that went off St. Louis Blues’ defenseman Matthew Kessel and into the net.
Poetry on ice 🤌
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) October 11, 2024
“It was just a lucky bounce off the D skate,” Celebrini acknowledged.
But it put Celebrini in some hallowed company.
The only first-overall selection to score his first NHL goal faster was Mario Lemieux in 2:59 in 1984. Celebrini was faster than Mike Modano in 8:14 in 1989 and Auston Matthews in 8:21 in 2016.
Initially, Celebrini thought his linemate William Eklund scored: “I was like nice goal, and he was just like, I didn’t score, you did. I thought he was just super excited that he scored, but I guess he was happy for me.”
Eklund celebrates Celebrini's first NHL goal!
(H/T @hockeyshots) pic.twitter.com/zz0RGe02Qd
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 11, 2024
Celebrini capped off a debut to remember with a highlight-reel pass to Tyler Toffoli for his first-ever assist.
Macklin Celebrini’s first NHL assist ✅
Tyler Toffoli’s first Sharks goal ✅
Sharks lead ✅
pic.twitter.com/wI0dD4I5N3— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) October 11, 2024
“Definitely,” Toffoli said, on if he expected the pass. “He did the same thing first game preseason we played together. He’s an incredible, incredible talent.”
It was a memorable night for Celebrini and fellow San Jose Sharks’ super prospect Will Smith, despite the 5-4 OT loss.
From their team-up solo warm-up lap to their opening night introductions, San Jose Sharks fans showered them with love.
Celebrini and Smith come out for their solo lap together and to huge applause pic.twitter.com/2sRSvUUWmZ
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 11, 2024
This is the largest crowd for #SJSharks warmups that I’ve seen in years pic.twitter.com/L8iegvNkV5
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 11, 2024
The Macklin Celebrini pop! pic.twitter.com/PfxQE5TwUy
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 11, 2024
But despite the storybook start, the ending gnawed at Celebrini.
“It’s cool to get the first of both [goal and assist] for my career,” he said. “But we lost, so it sucks.”
