Macklin Celebrini Graces EA Sports NHL 27 Cover as Youngest Honoree

Macklin Celebrini has been named the cover athlete for EA Sports NHL 27, making him the youngest player ever to receive the honor. The 20-year-old San Jose Sharks center capped a remarkable 2025-26 season with this milestone, adding to his Olympic silver medal, IIHF Player of the Year title, and Sharks franchise records.

What made Celebrini's 2025-26 season historic?

Celebrini led Team Canada to a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with five goals and 10 points in six games. He also captained Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, where he ranked second in scoring with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 10 games. His stellar international play earned him the IIHF's Male Player of the Year award.

In the NHL, Celebrini set a Sharks record with 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 82 games, finishing fourth in league scoring. He was a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award and helped San Jose improve from 20 wins in 2024-25 to 39 wins in 2025-26. His 33 power-play points and five game-winning goals were key to the Sharks' resurgence.

Why is the NHL 27 cover significant for Celebrini?

Celebrini joins Sharks legend Owen Nolan as the only players from the franchise to appear on the NHL video game cover. Nolan graced the cover in 2001, making Celebrini's selection a historic moment for San Jose. The honor reflects his rapid rise to stardom and his status as one of the NHL's brightest young talents.

What's next for Celebrini?

Celebrini is nominated for two ESPY Awards: Best NHL Player and Best Breakthrough Athlete. He will compete against Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid for the NHL honor. The awards ceremony takes place on July 15 in New York City.

Celebrini's future looks bright as he continues to build on his impressive career. His selection as the NHL 27 cover athlete solidifies his place among the league's elite and sets the stage for even greater achievements.