Sharks’ Sam Dickinson on Macklin Celebrini: ‘Might be the best player I’ve ever stepped on the ice with’
Game recognizes game.
The San Jose Sharks are one of the more intriguing teams to follow in the NHL. While they aren’t quite the contenders they were in the 2000s and 2010s, they have an exciting young core expected to lead them to a brighter future. Along with talented assets in forward Will Smith and goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, everyone is excited to watch thrilling second-year forward Macklin Celebrini. One who loves watching what the Hobey Baker Award winner can do is his own teammate, rookie forward Sam Dickinson.
On a recent episode of On the Road with The Sheet host Jeff Marek, Dickinson explained what makes Celebrini one of the best players he has ever been on the ice with.
Jeff Marek: “I tended to watch a lot of San Jose Sharks games last year, just because there was something in every single game where – and most specifically, Macklin Celebrini – would do something and you’d go like, oh, wow. Like, that’s incredible. I know it was a tough year, but it’s a rebuilding team. But there was always something in every San Jose game where you’re like, you get that glimpse to the future. There’s something that Celebrini does. I’ll focus on Celebrini, when you watch Celebrini, what do you see as a player?”
Sam Dickinson: “I think when I stepped on the ice with him, day one of rookie camp last year in San Jose, I think it was, right away, I think in my mind, it might have been, this might be the best hockey player I’ve ever stepped on the ice with.
Jeff Marek: “He’s incredible!”
Sam Dickinson: “Just the things he can do, he makes plays, and I would have never thought to make a play like that. Next thing you know, we’re getting into training camp the rest of the Sharks team showing up. He’s still probably the best player on the ice with the things that he’s doing. And then, Game 1, it’s five minutes in, he scores his first NHL goal on a spin around, a no-look pass off a skate. But still just to think of making that play is, you know, unbelievable. I think it was probably his third shift or something. Just the creativeness that comes from his game is, it’s something I’ve never seen. and it’s going to be hopefully pretty fun to just stand behind the net and just look for 71 and look pass the puck there.”
You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…