Macklin Celebrini Forces Family To Adjust Travel Plans For Extra Training Before Sharks Development Camp

San Jose Sharks No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini was originally supposed to fly to San Jose on Sunday, but his dad, Rick, said the Celebrini family is headed back Saturday evening for extra training.

Rick, the Golden State Warriors director of sports medicine and performance, told reporters that Celebrini wants to train more and skate on Sunday before the Sharks' development camp begins on Tuesday.

"We actually had to change our flight. We were booked through Sunday, and he obviously wanted to be here for some of his teammates and friends who are getting drafted tomorrow. We actually now have a five o'clock flight because he wants to be on the ice on Sunday and get a workout in before development camp starts on Monday," Rick Celebrini said. "So he's back to work. He'll probably get a workout tomorrow as well."

Macklin's work ethic and drive are partially what made him the unanimous 2024 NHL Draft top prospect. Rick said that his drive to be the best started when he was a kid playing soccer in the backyard.

"I would just be keeping the soccer ball away from him in the backyard with my bare feet, and he would be grabbing onto my shorts and kicking me in the legs and just trying to get to the ball," Rick said. "The compete [someone has] is enate. I don't think you learn how to do that. I think it's just something that he was born with. It's possible it's been strengthened through the years, just in different environments that he's been in.

The Celebrini family has long been associated with professional athletes. Macklin's uncle is Phoenix Suns and NBA Legend Steven Nash. Nash appeared on Sportsnet's coverage of the Draft and told a story about Macklin's constant competitiveness.

Macklin Celebrini is now the cornerstone of the San Jose Sharks' future, and nobody is hiding it anymore.

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Sharks Considered First Round Winners At The NHL Draft

'It's The League That Best Prepares You For The NHL': Sharks' Macklin Celebrini Explains His Decision To Play In The NCAA

Macklin Celebrini Hasn't Made Decision To Join Sharks; Excited To Be Part Of Bright Future

BREAKING: Sharks Select Sam Dickinson With 11th Overall Pick

BREAKING: Sharks Expected To Re-Sign Luke Kunin

Sharks Celebrate As Macklin Celebrini Is Officially Drafted No. 1

• Follow Max on Twitter: @ Real_Max_Miller