Macklin Celebrini has tied his hockey success to lessons learned on the soccer pitch—and now he’s teasing a potential new role as the face of NHL 27.
The San Jose Sharks center, fresh off being named the 2025-26 IIHF Male Player of the Year, told Yahoo Sports that soccer shaped his hockey IQ far more than footwork. Speaking to Yahoo Canada on July 2 during his soccer camp in Vancouver, Celebrini said the sport taught him to think three steps ahead like a chess match. That vision, he argued, has been critical in his rapid rise in the NHL.
How soccer shaped Macklin Celebrini’s hockey mind
Celebrini grew up in a soccer household. His parents met playing at the University of British Columbia, and all their kids—including Macklin and his siblings—grew up with the game in their lives. While most assume soccer’s main gift to hockey is agility, Celebrini pointed to something deeper: the mental side.
“Growing up playing soccer probably helped with some footwork and agility,” he said. “Mostly, it’s the vision. Soccer is a bit slower in some parts, but there’s a lot more thinking that goes into it and it’s more like chess. You gotta think three steps ahead and that’s helped me in hockey.”
He attended World Cup matches in Vancouver and hosted a soccer camp with Airbnb on July 2, blending his dual passions during Canada’s first Men’s World Cup on home soil.
The NHL 27 cover athlete rumor
The Yahoo Sports report didn’t confirm Celebrini’s cover role—but it strongly hinted at one. During a Prospect Scrimmage at SAP Center, Richard Gallant was mic’d up, a telltale sign of behind-the-scenes coverage decisions. With NHL 27’s release looming, the buzz around Celebrini’s potential selection has grown louder in recent weeks.
If confirmed, Celebrini would join a short list of active NHL stars to grace the cover of the annual EA Sports franchise. His 2025-26 IIHF Male Player of the Year award only adds weight to the speculation.
What’s next for Macklin Celebrini
Celebrini’s focus remains on the ice. The Sharks’ young star is expected to build on a breakout rookie season that saw him post 32 points in 53 games. With training camps approaching, his preparation now includes a blend of hockey drills and the soccer insights that sharpened his play.
For Sharks fans, the dual storyline—soccer’s influence and a possible cover spot—offers a fresh angle on a rising franchise cornerstone. Whether he lands the NHL 27 gig or not, Celebrini’s 2025-26 season has already cemented his place among the NHL’s brightest young talents.