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The Next Generation of Hockey Stars: How Recent No. 1 Picks Fared in Their Rookie Seasons

The San Jose Sharks are hoping to rebuild their team around Macklin Celebrini, the talented young forward they selected with the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft. At just 17 years old, Celebrini became the youngest winner of the Hobey Baker Award, the top individual honor in college hockey, after a record-breaking freshman season at Boston University.

A Look Back at Recent No. 1 Picks

But how have other recent No. 1 picks fared in their rookie seasons? Let’s take a look at the past five players to be selected first overall in the NHL draft.

• Connor Bedard (2023-24): Bedard burst onto the scene after being selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL draft. He went on to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year, leading or co-leading both rookies and the Blackhawks in goals, assists, and points.
• Juraj Slafkovsky (2022-23): The Montreal Canadiens took Slafkovsky with the first selection of the 2022 NHL draft, making him the first player born in Slovakia to be selected with the No. 1 pick. Slafkovsky scored his first point in his fifth career game and finished his rookie season with 10 points in 39 games.
• Owen Power (2021-22): Power was the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NHL draft, selected by the Buffalo Sabres. He officially joined the NHL after signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres and played eight games at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before earning a spot on the 2022-23 NHL All-Rookie Team.
• Alexis Lafreniere (2020-21): Lafreniere was the top overall pick of the New York Rangers in the 2020 NHL draft after being named the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Most Valuable Player in back-to-back seasons. Lafreniere tallied 21 points in 56 games as a rookie for the Rangers.
• Jack Hughes (2019-20): The New Jersey Devils selected Hughes with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL draft after he led the U.S. national under-18 men’s hockey team with 112 points in 50 games. Hughes played 61 games and scored 21 points for the Devils as an 18-year-old rookie before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What’s Next for Macklin Celebrini?

With Celebrini now set to join the San Jose Sharks, fans are eagerly anticipating what he will bring to the team. Will he follow in the footsteps of other successful No. 1 picks, or will he forge his own path? One thing is for sure – the future of hockey is bright, and players like Celebrini are leading the way.