Macklin Celebrini’s father on gold-medal loss: ‘It’s fuel’

After a stellar Olympic debut with five goals and five assists in just six games as a 19-year-old, it’s safe to say Macklin Celebrini will probably be among those representing Canada in the French Alps in 2030.

However, the end goal for Celebrini and Team Canada fell short after they lost to the U.S.A in the gold-medal game 2-1 in overtime.

Macklin Celebrini’s father, Rick, who’s the director of sports medicine for the Golden State Warriors, believes the gut-wrenching loss will add extra motivation to take home gold in four years.

“He was inconsolable after the game, he was upset, he was upset at himself, he was upset at the results,” said Rick Celebrini at a Warriors press conference on Friday.” I think that, with a lot of athletes, it’s fuel, and I really do think it’s a motivator for him. I’m sure it’s a long way to be thinking about it, but four years from now that will be part of additional motivation to prepare, to be ready and to hopefully influence a different outcome.”

Macklin Celebrini wowed all hockey fans on the international stage with his performance in the tournament, earning a nod to the Olympic all-star team and finishing second among all players in scoring behind teammate Connor McDavid and his record 13 points.

His play in the gold-medal game was exceptional, too, with him logging six shots on net.

But while the gold medal is missing from the trophy case, Celebrini’s father thinks he should be happy with the effort the Canadians put in.

“He was almost competitive to a fault and probably loses perspective in the moment, but I think at this point he can look back and be proud of his team and himself and to say that they put their best foot forward and played their butts off and lost to a better team that day,” said Rick Celebrini.

The Olympic stage is not the only place Macklin Celebrini has been dominating, as the young phenom has his San Jose Sharks just five points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference on the back of his fourth-most 81 points.