MILAN — The first teenager to represent Canada at an Olympic Games with NHL players walked into the locker room about an hour before Sunday’s first practice and learned he was going to play on the same line as arguably the best player in the world.
Welcome, Macklin Celebrini, to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Meet Connor McDavid, your new linemate.
“It’s fun. It’s incredible,” Celebrini said after training at the Arena Santa Giulia. “I think we still have to get a little bit of chemistry, but it’s something super special.”
They skated together for an hour, with McDavid at center, Celebrini to his left and Tom Wilson at right wing.
“It’s definitely a good mix of different things, and together I think we can be a very good line,” McDavid said.
Canada coach Jon Cooper obviously thinks the same, although he tried to deflect attention when asked several times about the line combination, saying it’s just the first day.
And it’s true. The lines could look very different when Canada returns to training here on Monday morning, or at least by the time it plays its first game against the Czech Republic at Arena Santa Giulia on Thursday.
But Cooper couldn’t hide his excitement at putting McDavid and Celebrini with Wilson.
“I think Macklin Celebrini can play any line and be successful, just like Connor McDavid,” Cooper said. “There are a lot of things that go into this, and that’s why it’s hard to answer these questions on the first day of training, because you have to start somewhere. We have to get a group of players together, but I tell you what: it’s a lot of fun.”
And it is because Cooper knows the impact Celebrini can have for Canada in the tournament.
That’s why he is here, despite his age.
“He may be, what?, 19 years old physically, but his understanding of the game is not that of a young man,” Cooper explained. “He’s a lot more mature than his age indicates. So I can’t see him as a child. I’ve been with him. I was with him at the World Cup and I’ve followed his path very closely. Talking to the players, this kid is wise beyond his years. Now, this is just the first practice of the first day of the tournament, but if he’s shown anything during his NHL season, it’s that he’s a pretty special player. I don’t have a say in awards or things like that, but it seems like there are a lot of people on your side who say this kid could to be fighting for important prizes. So take age out of the equation.
date: 2026-02-08 23:53:00