Superstar talent Macklin Celebrini was just selected first overall by the San Jose Sharks at the 2024 NHL Draft.
Celebrini had a decision to make: whether to return to Boston University for his sophomore season or begin his NHL career.
He elected to sign his entry-level contract with the Sharks and will be making his NHL debut this fall.
The 18-year-old Vancouver native won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey, joining an elite club of freshmen to win the award after scoring 32 goals with 32 assists for 64 points in 38 games at BU.
While Celebrini is making what he believes is the best decision for his career—likely the right one—his decision does impact other players, including two New York Islanders ' 2024 draft picks.
Cole Eiserman , selected 20th overall, and Kamil Bednarik , selected 61st, will both be attending BU this fall.
Eiserman and Celebrini are very close friends and even played at Minnesota prep school Shattuck St. Marys, which is known for producing NHL talent.
"We were roommates freshman year at 14 years old and now we're both drafted to the NHL, so it's pretty cool," Eiserman said in Las Vegas.
Eiserman will slot into the top six at BU this season and will likely spend a lot of time on the top line and power play with his goal-scoring prowess.
The idea of Celebrini returning to college hockey would have reunited the duo as linemates and provided the Islanders' new top prospect with a strong partner to help his development.
Instead, Eiserman will look to be one of the top goal-scorers on the Terriers. He will look to build chemistry with Bednarik, a two-way center who is a former USNTDP teammate and now a college teammate.
Bednarik was projected as a late first-round pick before last season but slipped to the Islanders in the second round of the draft. Celebrini's absence now opens the door for Bednarik to have a larger role at the center with more minutes.
Celebrini might make Eiserman and Bednarik's transition to college hockey harder, but they have everything to gain entering as talented freshmen.
Being the vocal point of the Terriers team and logging big minutes is exactly how these two players will turn into NHL regulars for the Islanders.
It certainly would have been fun to watch Celebrini and Eiserman skate together once again.
Now, Eiserman will have to carve his own path to success.
These big roles will be massive for their development and just what Lou Lamoriello wants to see from his new prospects.
Could we see Eiserman and Bednarik break out in college and become draft steals under the tutelage of former Islanders Jay Pandolfo, the head coach at BC?
The Islanders face Celebrini and the Sharks at UBS Arena on Jan. 18 and in San Jose on Mar. 8.
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