Sharks name 20-year-old Macklin Celebrini youngest captain in franchise history

On Sept. 25, 2026, the San Jose Sharks named 20-year-old Macklin Celebrini captain. A Friday video shows Joe Thornton handing him the captain's "C." He is the youngest captain in Sharks history and the NHL's youngest active captain. The post sat empty since Logan Couture's career-ending injury. Celebrini put up 45 goals, 70 assists and 115 points in 2025-26, breaking Joe Thornton's franchise record of 114 and ranking third among teenagers in NHL history behind Gretzky and Crosby. The 2024 first-overall pick has 70 goals, 108 assists and 178 career points; his rookie year was 25 goals and 63 points in 70 games. Patrick Marleau held the prior youngest-captain mark at 24 in 2004. Celebrini edges Connor Bedard, 21. What's contested: Some outlets list him as the 11th full-time Sharks captain; others say the 14th. Reports split on the five-year, $94 million deal ($18.8 million AAV), one saying it runs through 2030-31 and a wire summary saying it begins in 2027-28. Mike Grier added Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba and Mason Marchment. The record does not settle the next playoff timeline.