It’s safe to say that most 17-year-olds did not have the year that Boston University freshman Macklin Celebrini had.

The youngest player in college hockey was also the best player in college hockey, as Celebrini became the first 17-year-old to ever win the Hobey Baker Award.

The Hobey was the ultimate award for a player who earned nearly every possible accolade during the 2023-24 season. The fourth freshman to receive that prestigious honor, Celebrini was also recognized as the National Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-American, in addition to becoming just the fourth man in league history to be named Hockey East Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year in the same season. He was the only unanimous Hockey East First Team All-Star, and in a region full of outstanding freshmen, he was chosen as New England Rookie of the Year.

A native of Vancouver, Celebrini totaled 64 points on 32 goals and 32 assists and was the only player in the country to collect 30 goals and 30 assists this past season. In fact, Celebrini was just the fourth player since the turn of the century to record 30 goals and 30 assists as a freshman.

Not only was Celebrini incredible in the offensive end, but he was a trustworthy player in all situations and in all three zones. Celebrini was a fixture on the power play and killed penalties. He won 53.5% of his faceoffs and finished the season as the only player among the top 10 point producers to win over 50% of his draws while taking at least 500 faceoffs.

In the middle of his outstanding collegiate campaign, Celebrini represented Canada at the World Junior Championship and dazzled fans with his elite play, leading his homeland with eight points on four goals and four assists.

Celebrini was also named to the Hockey East All- Academic Team after earning a 3.0 GPA in each of his two semesters at one of the best universities in the world in what would have normally been his senior year of high school. Of the seven Hockey East standouts to win the Hobey since 2000, Celebrini is the only one to earn All- Academic honors.

It’s not just talent that got Celebrini to where he is today. His work ethic and compete level is second to none. It doesn’t matter what’s at stake; Celebrini wants to win. He’s driven in everything he does, whether on the ice, in the weight room or in the classroom. That became evident from the moment he set foot on campus for the start of his first semester.

“For a 17-year-old to push a group of older players like that, it’s pretty impressive and says a lot about him and his character and about how much he cares,” head coach Jay Pandolfo said. “That’s why he is who he is.”

Celebrini accomplished all this while also facing intense media attention all season as the presumptive No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft. He handled this added pressure as well as anyone could imagine, though he was always more comfortable talking about his teammates and celebrating their success.

It came as no surprise that even after losing in the national semifinals the previous night, Celebrini’s teammates were at the Hobey Baker Award presentation to support their friend during his big moment and congratulate him on stage after he received the coveted trophy.

“It meant everything,” Celebrini said of his teammates being there after winning the award. “I wouldn’t be anywhere without them. I love that group; we’re like brothers. It meant a lot to have them here.”

While it’s common for Hobey winners to thank their coaches and teammates, Celebrini made sure to also highlight his team’s equipment managers and athletic trainers, the folks behind the scenes whose support is crucial to a team’s success on and off the ice. That speaks to the type of person Celebrini is and how he embraced the family culture that head coach Jay Pandolfo has created within the Terrier hockey program.

Not only did Celebrini’s teammates stay for the Hobey ceremony, but several of them, along with staff from the athletic department, made the trip to The Sphere in Las Vegas to watch the San Jose Sharks select Celebrini with the first pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. It was a special moment for Celebrini and his Terrier family made sure to be there for him when he heard his name called.

Another busy year awaits Celebrini, as he is scheduled to make his NHL debut on Oct. 10 when the Sharks host the St. Louis Blues. If this past season is any indication, the reigning Hobey winner will be ready for the challenge as he begins a long and successful professional career.

Story courtesy of Kevin Edelson, Associate Director of Athletic Communications, Boston University Athletics