NHL No. 1 draft pick Macklin Celebrini signs contract with San Jose Sharks

No. 1 overall draft pick Macklin Celebrini is making the immediate jump to the NHL.

Last year's Hobey Baker Award winner signed a three-year, entry-level contract ($975,000 a year, plus performance bonuses) with the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, ending his college career at Boston University after one season. He had 64 points in 38 games last season as the youngest player in college hockey.

“Macklin is not only a special player on the ice, but he is a poised, confident and intelligent young man off of it,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier said. “His combination of skills and hockey sense is rare, and we are extremely confident that he is ready to make the transition to being a full time NHL player."

Celebrini made the decision after taking part in the Sharks' prospect camp. He had kept an open mind, but once he got back to the hotel Friday after an exit meeting, "it really sank in with me what I had to do."

"Every time I thought about coming to the Sharks, I was just really excited," he told reporters.

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Red Line Report, an independent scouting service, said Celebrini can be a top six forward in his first season.

"He has superb hands and timing and is a highly imaginative playmaker who gets pucks to his linemates with one-touch passes," said Kyle Woodlief, Red Line's publisher and chief scout. "He’s a terrific goal scorer with a lightning-fast catch and release - the puck explodes off his stick. His ability to anticipate developing plays puts him a step ahead of everyone else on the ice."

Celebrini was the perfect choice for the Sharks' first-ever No. 1 overall pick because of his skill level and his local ties. His father, Rick, is vice president of health and performance for the nearby Golden State Warriors of the NBA. Macklin had played for the San Jose Jr. Sharks in 2019-20, scoring 94 points in 54 games.

He is arriving at the same time as last year's top Sharks pick, No. 4 overall Will Smith, who signed this summer after playing a season at Boston College.

The Sharks will build around those two and 21-year-old William Eklund.

After two seasons of shedding veterans and dropping to last place, the Sharks added Tyler Toffoli, Alex Wennberg, Ty Dellandrea and others this offseason to hasten their rebuild.

"That was a big factor (in his decision)," Celebrini said, "the pieces that were already there and bringing in those (veteran) guys."

Celebrini will be part of a talented NHL rookie class that includes Smith, Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov and Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier.

He's scheduled to make his NHL debut at home on Oct. 10 against the St. Louis Blues.

Blackhawks sign No. 2 overall pick Artyom Levshunov

The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman Artyom Levshunov to an entry-level contract. He played last season at Michigan State.

"Signing Artyom gives us the opportunity to continue his development in house and take the next step into professional hockey,” said general manager Kyle Davidson. “He’s a strong two-way defenseman that has all the tools to be a high-end player in the NHL and we’re excited to continue his growth at the pro level."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Macklin Celebrini signs with San Jose Sharks