Rising Stars Face Off With Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon in Intense Summer Training
Photo credit: Hockey Unplugged
Sharks' young stars Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith have been busy training with Penguins' Sidney Crosby and Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon in an intense workout.
San Jose Sharks prospects Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini have had a busy offseason.
After making appearances for their respective countries at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, Macklin Celebrini for Canada, Will Smith for the United States, both attended some summer brand activity, with Celebrini appearing in CCM promos and Smith appearing in Bauer.
But their summer highlight came late in July. The two have been recently spotted training alongside NHL legends Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon.
We've got Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith going against Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon in summer training
Celebrini, who had skated with the two players at the World Championship, gets to do it all again, this time with good pal Will Smith along for the ride.
Nathan MacKinnon Believes Celebrini Will Likely Make the Olympic Roster
Nathan MacKinnon showered Celebrini with praise throughout the Worlds and sees him as a legitimate candidate to crack into Team Canada's 2026 Olympic roster.
"I have no advice for him," MacKinnon said to NHL.com. "He's a pro. He is miles ahead of where I was at 18, mentally. I think his dad has given him a lot of knowledge, you know, put him in a great spot. Obviously, he was raised great, too. A great kid. He's dominating. He's standing out with a lot of older players. I think with a good first half he's going to have a really good chance at the Olympic team. Really impressed with him.
"He's amazing. He is so mature for an 18-year-old, such a great attitude. Super happy. I can tell how hard he works. He has a bright future."
"He's amazing. He is so mature for an 18-year-old, such a great attitude. Super happy. I can tell how hard he works. He has a bright future."
The 18-year-old center for the Sharks is already a building-block player with his club, and skating alongside two of the world's top players only reinforces that notion.
Smith, however, has tougher odds to be included in the Olympic roster of Team USA, but a good preseason and start to the 2025-26 season can enhance his chances.
Either way, training with Sidney Crosby and MacKinnon is an experience worth having for the Sharks' young duo. Celebrini was also seen playing golf with the two NHL legends.
For him, the experience must have been all the more special, as Crosby is his childhood favorite hockey player.
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