Macklin Celebrini is a certified star. The hockey world knows it. As will the video game world, where the 20-year-old is being recognized as a face of the NHL.
On Tuesday, EA Sports dropped a teaser reveal for its “NHL 27” video game, featuring the San Jose Sharks phenom on the cover. Celebrini is the second Sharks player to grace a standard cover in the popular franchise’s history, joining Owen Nolan (NHL 2001), and the youngest EA NHL cover athlete ever.
The recognition is another example of Celebrini’s growing profile as a marketable hockey star. The young center has previously been featured in a commercial for Sony, which announced a partnership with the Sharks in December.
The next generation is here. Macklin Celebrini is the youngest NHL cover athlete in history. Tune in for the #NHL27 Reveal Trailer on July 16 at 11 AM ET.
➡️ https://t.co/JY6HXf13TU ⬅️ pic.twitter.com/YOUwVtwSTT
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) July 14, 2026
After a debut NHL season in which he finished third in Calder Trophy voting for rookie of the year, Celebrini exploded in 2025-26: He led San Jose with 45 goals, 70 assists and 115 points over 82 games, amassing one of the greatest seasons by a teenage player in NHL history. Celebrini finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting for league MVP as he powered the Sharks toward a potential playoff bid before they ultimately finished four points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Celebrini is expected to become the next captain of the Sharks, after he captained Canada at the World Championship this spring and led the team with six goals and 14 points. He also participated in his first Winter Olympics this year and topped all players with five goals en route to winning a silver medal. The IIHF recently named him its male player of the year for 2025-26.
Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils was the face of “NHL 25,” appearing with his brothers, Quinn and Luke, on that year’s deluxe edition.
Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers was the featured cover athlete for “NHL 26.” In the EA Sports deluxe edition, Tkachuk graced an alternate cover with his brother, Brady, and their father, Keith.
EA Sports has not yet announced an official release date for “NHL 27,” though it is expected to be in early September.
