San Jose Sharks Select Boston University Center Macklin Celebrini With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft

Artyom Levshunov, second overall pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, Macklin Celebrini, first overall pick of the San Jose Sharks, and Beckett Sennecke, third overall pick of the Anaheim Ducks, pose for a group photo during the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas on June 28, 2024. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS—The San Jose Sharks added a foundational piece to their rebuilding plan by choosing Boston University center Macklin Celebrini with the first pick in the NHL draft Friday.

Celebrini’s selection came as no surprise after the 18-year-old became just the fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player. He did so as the nation’s youngest player, too, finishing second with 34 goals and third with 64 points in 38 games.