Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr knows greatness when he sees it, and he’s been seeing it in Macklin Celebrini since the hockey prodigy was just 14 years old.
As the San Jose Sharks’ sophomore sensation prepares for his Olympic debut with Team Canada in Milan this week, the Warriors’ head coach admitted he is one of Celebrini’s most dedicated fans. The connection is deeply personal as Macklin’s father, Rick Celebrini, serves as the Warriors’ Vice President of Player Health and Performance.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Kerr said of the younger Celebrini’s meteoric rise. “I can’t wait to watch him play in the Olympics. Rick is heading over there with the family to see him... I follow it. I look at the box scores every day.”
For Kerr, watching Macklin dominate the NHL is a reminder of how quickly "the kid" grew up. “He was hanging around here as a kid who was about 14, and now all of a sudden he’s in the MVP race in the NHL,” Kerr remarked. “It’s so fun to see Mack doing so well, especially in the context of it all.”
Steve Kerr is a confirmed Macklin Celebrini HEAD. 🦈
— KNBR (@KNBR) February 10, 2026
"I look at the box scores every day... he was hanging around here as a 14-year-old kid and now all of the sudden he's in the MVP race in the NHL." pic.twitter.com/1nYhvZ6Dmg
Through 55 games this season, Celebrini has vaulted the Sharks from the basement of the Pacific Division into the thick of the playoff hunt. He has tallied 28 goals and 53 assists for 81 points this season, ranking fourth league-wide.
Now, the second-year NHL veteran is headed to the Olympics at just 19-years-old. Canada coach Jon Cooper has noted that Celebrini is "wise beyond his years," a sentiment echoed by the NHL veterans who have watched the teenager command the ice in Italy this week.