SAN JOSE – Macklin Celebrini was back on the ice with the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. The top pick in the 2024 draft has been sidelined since suffering a lower-body injury in the season opener on Oct. 11.
“As part of his rehabilitation plan, Macklin will return to team activities today,” the Sharks said in a statement. He has made progress in recent weeks, and this represents the next step towards a return to training. We will continue to monitor his progress, but no date has yet been determined for a possible return to game action. »
Celebrini had a goal and an assist in 17:35 of ice time in his NHL debut, a 5-4 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. He was placed on injured reserve two days later.
On October 12, the Sharks announced that the young forward would be evaluated on a weekly basis. On October 22, general manager Mike Grier mentioned that Celebrini was skating solo, but that it would be at least two more weeks before he was expected to make a return.
“Injuries are part of hockey,” Grier said. He’s going to miss a few games starting out, but I think he’s continuing to work on his skills off the ice. He does what he has to do at the gym. I don’t think it will harm his development.
“It’s a good thing he’s spending more time in the gym to continue to develop his body and get used to the rigors of the league. When he returns, he will be pitted against the best opposing defenders most of the time. »
Celebrini, who turned 18 in June, was the youngest player in the NCAA last season, when he also became the youngest to win the Hobey Baker Trophy, awarded annually to the college MVP. Americans. He ranked second in the NCAA with 32 goals and third with 64 points in 38 games with Boston University.
The center also left the ice during training camp on September 25 due to a lower-body injury, and the same injury forced him out of a preseason game against the Utah Hockey Club on October 1.
“Everyone is going to experience little aches and pains throughout training camp,” said coach Ryan Warsofsky. I would say we realized there was something more serious after that first game. It’s learning for him. Life is sometimes unfair. Mentally, he is doing well. He was here to work today. This is the hockey world, right? There will be injuries. This certainly won’t be his last injury. We must continue to move forward. »
The Sharks, who started their season with nine consecutive losses (0-7-2), have won their last two games. They will face the Chicago Blackhawks at home on Thursday (10:30 p.m. ET; CHSN, NBCSCA, SN360, SN).
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