Celebrini scores 1st NHL goal 7 minutes into NHL debut

Celebrini scores 1st NHL goal 7 minutes into NHL debut

Sharks rookie notches spinning backhand shot

STL@SJS: Celebrini sees the puck deflect off of a defender for his first NHL goal

It didn’t take long for Macklin Celebrini to celebrate in the NHL.

The San Jose Sharks rookie scored his first NHL goal seven minutes into the first period of the team’s opener against the St. Louis Blues at the SAP Center in San Jose on Thursday.

The 2024 first overall pick received a cross ice pass from forward William Eklund in the Blues zone with a little over 13 minutes to play in the first period. Celebrini then took the puck and spun around for a backhand shot off a skate and past Blues goalie Joel Hofer to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead.

A few minutes later, Celebrini notched his first NHL assist on teammate Tyler Toffoli’s goal to give the Sharks back the lead and make the game 2-1.

TYLER TOFFOLI!!

That 70s line is somethin' ‍ pic.twitter.com/WxTwVCrW47

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) October 11, 2024

Before the game, the Celebrini and forward Will Smith took their rookie laps around the SAP Center ice.

Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini have ARRIVED!

Welcome to the League! #NHLFaceOff

: @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm pic.twitter.com/FosZdlWUhc

— NHL (@NHL) October 11, 2024

Golden State Warriors All-Star forward Draymond Green certainly liked what he saw from the rookie.

Dray reppin' his man Macklin at the Tank pic.twitter.com/IMPThZ6nnQ

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) October 11, 2024

The Sharks rookie’s career is off to a fin-tastic start.