Macklin Celebrini has been named the EA SPORTS NHL 27 cover athlete, appearing on both the Standard Edition and Deluxe Edition. The Standard artwork places the San Jose Sharks centre down on one knee in a white jersey, shouting during an on-ice celebration. The Deluxe cover shifts to teal, with Celebrini holding his stick and looking upward beneath blue arena lights.
The timing follows a huge second season in San Jose. Celebrini broke the Sharks’ single-season scoring record with 115 points and finished as a Ted Lindsay Award finalist. His year also included an Olympic silver medal, captaining Canada at the IIHF World Championship, and being voted the IIHF Male Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season.
Celebrini Has Already Set Sharks Records
San Jose selected Celebrini first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, making him the first No. 1 selection in franchise history. He recorded 25 goals and 38 assists for 63 points in 70 games as a rookie, leading the Sharks in scoring and earning NHL All-Rookie Team honours. He also finished as a Calder Memorial Trophy finalist.
The jump in his second season was enormous. Celebrini finished with 45 goals and 70 assists for 115 points, moving one point past Joe Thornton’s previous Sharks record from 2006-07. He placed fourth in NHL scoring and became a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award, which is voted on by NHLPA members.
That’s a lot of Sharks history to make before beginning a third NHL season. The team crest and two different San Jose jerseys carry that connection across the artwork. The Deluxe Edition keeps that San Jose connection in view through Celebrini’s teal jersey and the blue arena lighting.
From U18 Hockey To The Olympic Stage
Celebrini wore the Maple Leaf well before his NHL debut. He recorded 14 points in seven games at the 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship, then added eight points in five games at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. He joined the senior national team in 2025 and added six points across eight World Championship games.
His role with Canada grew quickly in 2026. Celebrini led the Olympic tournament with five goals and finished with 10 points in six games as Canada won silver. He was also selected for the tournament’s All-Star Team.
Later that spring, Celebrini captained Canada at the IIHF World Championship. His six goals and eight assists placed him second in tournament scoring with 14 points across 10 games. Those international performances helped earn him IIHF Male Player of the Year honours.
In only three years, Celebrini moved from Canada’s under-18 team to captaining the senior national team. His NHL 27 cover arrives after two record-setting seasons in San Jose and an expanding role with Canada.
Standard And Deluxe Covers Capture Different Sharks Moments
The Standard Edition catches Celebrini in the middle of a celebration. He is down on one knee in San Jose’s white jersey with his mouth open, while the blurred crowd behind him keeps the attention on his reaction.
On the Deluxe Edition, Celebrini stands in teal with his stick in hand and looks above the camera. Blue lighting fills the background, the alternate captain’s “A” is visible on his chest, and a cyan Deluxe Edition strip runs across the top of the artwork.
The Deluxe artwork keeps Celebrini and the Sharks at the centre of the image. For Sharks fans, the teal jersey, alternate captain’s “A,” and blue arena lighting are the details most likely to catch the eye. It’s a distinctly San Jose finish to the cover reveal. Celebrini is also the youngest athlete ever featured on an EA SPORTS NHL cover, and I’m excited to see more of NHL 27 when the reveal trailer premieres July 16 at 11 a.m. ET.
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