North Vancouver's Macklin Celebrini named IIHF male player of the year
The 20-year-old San Jose Sharks centre scored an Olympics-leading five goals for Team Canada's silver medal run in Torino.
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North Vancouver's Macklin Celebrini has been named the International Ice Hockey Federation's male player of the year, an award given annually to the player who "best exemplifies exceptional skill, determination, team success, and sporting character on and off the ice."
Celebrini, 20, had what the IIHF called a "magical year." He scored an Olympics-leading five goals for Team Canada during their silver medal run at the Torino Winter Games and put up 45 goals and 70 assists in 82 games with the San Jose Sharks this season.
The award was voted on by nearly 200 sports journalists and IIHF insiders. Celebrini becomes the second consecutive North Shore phenom to win the title: Connor Bedard, also from North Vancouver, won the award in 2023.
Bedard, who notched 75 points in 69 games with the Chicago Blackhawks this season, will miss the start of the upcoming season after undergoing shoulder surgery on July 8. Bedard sustained the injury in an awkward fall during an off-season skate in Burnaby.
Bedard and Celebrini were consecutive No. 1 overall picks in the NHL drafts in 2024 and 2025.
At a glance
Who won the IIHF male player of the year award?
Macklin Celebrini, a 20-year-old centre from North Vancouver who plays for the San Jose Sharks, won the award.
What did Celebrini accomplish at the Torino Winter Games?
Macklin Celebrini scored an Olympics-leading five goals for Team Canada during their silver medal run at the Torino Winter Games.
How many consecutive North Shore players have won this IIHF award?
Two: Macklin Celebrini won in 2026 and Connor Bedard from North Vancouver won in 2023.
