When the San Jose Sharks take on the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight, Mackin Celebrini will face Sidney Crosby for the first time in his career.
The two briefly met during the player media tour in Las Vegas before the season.
“It means a lot [to play against Crosby],” Celebrini said. “I am really excited.”
The rookie alluded to a list of players and teams he is looking forward to playing and said that facing Crosby is “up there.”
Celebrini said he looks up to Crosby because of how the future Hall of Famer conducts himself around other people on and off the ice.
“I think I heard Wayne Gretzky say on a broadcast that he’s one of the classiest men to ever play this game. That’s all I’ve heard,” Celebrini said. “When you meet him, and you start talking to him, it doesn’t matter who you are; he’s always respectful, he’s always nice, he’s always open for those conversations. He’s an amazing role model on and off the ice.”
Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said he sees some of Crosby in his star rookie.
“I think there are a lot of similarities between Macklin and Sidney and the way they play. The way they’re ultra-competitive. I think Mac is on that trajectory of having that leadership qualities. We’ve shown some video of Sid to Mac. Certain things on his game and how he impacts the game on not just his puck play but away from the puck,” Warsofsky said.
“What I’ve noticed from in my two years just coaching against him is how much his game has changed and how smart he is. He may not have that same speed, but he finds himself in the right spots because of his hockey sense. “It’s a great opportunity for not just Mac but for Will [Smith] to go against two of the top players in the league.”
The Penguins are coming off an ugly 6-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets last night.
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