Joe Thornton welcomed Macklin Celebrini into the NHL, and now he'll be welcoming him into his family's home.
The 2024 No. 1 pick will live with the San Jose Sharks legend during his rookie campaign, he said at Wednesday's NHLPA Rookie Showcase, according to NHL.com's Adam Kimelman.
It was Thornton who announced the pick on stage when the Sharks drafted Celebrini in June.
Joe Thornton breaks the news: Macklin Celebrini is a San Jose Shark! ☝️#NHLDraft | @SanJoseSharks pic.twitter.com/3ALwLmybgI
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 28, 2024
A teenage rookie living with a team's elder statesman isn't uncommon. Sidney Crosby famously lived with Mario Lemieux, John Tavares lived with Doug Weight, and Wyatt Johnston lived with Joe Pavelski, among countless other examples.
However, this situation is slightly different considering Thornton last played for the Sharks in 2019-20 and has been out of the NHL since 2021-22.
Thornton is arguably the greatest player in Sharks history, ranking second on the franchise's all-time points list (1,055), first in assists (804), and third in games played (1,104).
