Macklin Celebrini's Influence Inspires Sharks Prospect Keaton Verhoeff

Macklin Celebrini's influence on the NHL and its young players has inspired a new generation of hockey enthusiasts, including Sharks prospect Keaton Verhoeff.

What happened?

Verhoeff, the Sharks' No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, recently spoke with NBC Sports California's Ted Ramey about joining the organization and the impact Celebrini has had on him. The 6-foot-4 right-shot blueliner from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, has been making waves in the hockey world with his impressive skills on the ice.

Why it matters for Macklin Celebrini

As a role model for young Canadian kids, Celebrini's influence extends far beyond his on-ice accomplishments. Verhoeff credits Celebrini with being an inspiration to many, citing his ability to make an immediate impact on the league as a whole. "The type of player he is and what he's done so far in his young career, and how he just came into the league and made an impact on a franchise and a league as a whole right away: it's something that a lot of kids look up to," Verhoeff said.

What comes next?

Verhoeff's admiration for Celebrini is not just from a distance. In a draft-day diary entry for NHL.com, Verhoeff revealed that Celebrini personally called him shortly after San Jose made the pick. "Macklin Celebrini called me, and I got a chance to talk to him," Verhoeff wrote. "He just kind of welcomed me to the organization. I got a little starstruck: anytime you talk to a guy like that, it's pretty cool."

Verhoeff's arrival in San Jose marks the beginning of a new chapter in his career, one that he is excited to be a part of. "Coming to an organization like this with the players they have, the trajectory and the staff they have as well, and where they want to be: it's pretty cool," Verhoeff told Ramey. "It's a group of young guys and it looks like from what you see from the outside, they have a lot of fun together and have a close group. It's definitely exciting to be part of this organization and have the chance to keep working and getting better to eventually make that jump to pro."

The Sharks' young core continues to grow, and Verhoeff is eager to be a part of it. With Celebrini's influence serving as a guiding light, Verhoeff is confident that he has landed in the right place to achieve his goals.

Category: player_focus