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Celebrini Set for First Game as Sharks Captain Against Panthers

The 20-year-old centre, named captain Sept. 25, leads San Jose into SAP Center on Thursday night to face Florida.

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File photo: San Jose Sharks centre Macklin Celebrini shoots against the Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center in San Jose on September 24, 2026.
Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Macklin Celebrini will play his first game as captain of the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night, when San Jose hosts the Florida Panthers at SAP Center. Puck drop is 10 p.m. ET.

Celebrini was named captain Sept. 25. At 20, he is the youngest active captain in the NHL and the youngest in Sharks history.

The centre was fourth in the league with 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) last season, his second in the NHL. San Jose selected him first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. The Sharks are trying to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2019.

The game is one of eight on the NHL schedule Thursday. In the U.S., it airs on SCRIPPS and NBCSCA, with TVAS carrying it in Canada.

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