Joe Celebrini Describes First Time on Ice in Sharks Uniform as “Pretty Cool”
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rutger McGroarty has developed a strong passion for card collecting over the past few years, with a particular interest in Upper Deck Young Guns cards. His focus has shifted from collecting cards of players he admires to seeking out rookie cards of his friends, including Gauthier, Hutson, New Jersey Devils defenseman Seamus Casey, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Gavin Brindley, and Chicago Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar.
Reflecting on his connections with these players, McGroarty shared, “I’ve played with Seamus, I’ve played with Cutter since I was, like, 10 years old. Same with Gavin Brindley, Frank Nazar. Kind of just seeing us all in our NHL equipment for the first time, it’s a real full-circle moment.” He expressed his excitement at the prospect of discovering a Seamus Casey card or even his own card while highlighting the thrill of pulling a card featuring one of his friends and sharing that moment with them.
Hutson, a Blackhawks fan at heart, initially sought cards of players like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Duncan Keith. However, his focus has now shifted towards collecting cards of his close friend, Macklin, whom he describes as an exceptional player and a humorous individual.
One highly sought-after collectible in the card collecting world is the Celebrini card. As the youngest player in NCAA hockey last season, Celebrini made a significant impact with 64 points in 38 games during his freshman year at Boston University. He made history by becoming the youngest recipient of the Hobey Baker Award, recognizing him as the top men’s NCAA ice hockey player.
Unlike the previous summer, Celebrini had a full offseason to engage in a rigorous workout regimen, enhancing his physical strength and overall performance. Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Celebrini expressed his confidence in his growth and improvement, emphasizing his dedication to honing all aspects of his game.
Celebrini is set to showcase his progress at the 2024 Los Angeles Rookie Faceoff Tournament, scheduled from Sept. 13-16 in El Segundo, California. He will join other Sharks rookies in competing against rookie players from various NHL teams, including the Ducks, Utah Hockey Club, Seattle Kraken, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, and Los Angeles Kings.
The anticipation builds as Celebrini gears up for his season debut against the St. Louis Blues at SAP Center on Oct. 10. Reflecting on the offseason preparations, he expressed his eagerness for the upcoming season, emphasizing that the real excitement lies in hitting the ice and competing with his team.
As the countdown to the season opener continues, Celebrini and his fellow rookies are filled with enthusiasm and determination to make their mark in the NHL. The journey towards achieving their hockey dreams is one of dedication, growth, and unwavering passion for the game.