SAN JOSE, Calif. — Within the San Jose Sharks organization, everyone has a favorite story involving the practice facility’s pingpong table.
Even second-year head coach Ryan Warsofsky has an unforgettable memory. Walking past his office one afternoon, he spotted his two young cornerstones, Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, engaged in a highly unconventional match.
“They’re playing pingpong with their shirts off, whacking each other with balls, having welts on them,” Warsofsky recounted. “That was kind of my first moment where I’m like, ‘Oh my God, these kids are 19 and 20 years old.’ But then you talk to Mack and Will about hockey—they are incredibly mature for their age and for being in the National Hockey League.”
Moments of youthful exuberance like this are important reminders that despite the sky-high expectations surrounding the Sharks` comprehensive rebuild, Celebrini and Smith are still teenagers and young adults. They are having fun while potentially forming the NHL`s next dominant super-duo.
This infectious blend of youthful joy and elite professional focus represents the foundation of the organization`s current belief.
Historically, Stanley Cup victories are often built around legendary tandems: Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. While team construction around them is vital, these duos served as the indispensable cornerstones. With Celebrini and Smith firmly in place, the question looms: Are the Sharks the next franchise set to follow this winning blueprint?
The Mechanics of a Cohesive Rebuild
Building a successful NHL franchise is akin to constructing a complex machine; all specific components must work harmoniously. A rebuild that achieves both the necessary parts and the cohesion can spawn a dynasty, while one that lacks continuity will inevitably stall.
This necessity explains why the Sharks have strategically acquired veterans such as Dmitry Orlov and Tyler Toffoli—players who have contributed to strong cultures built around young stars. It`s also why they hired Warsofsky, whose history demonstrates a strong commitment to both player development and self-improvement as a head coach. This careful planning is the root of the organization’s cautious optimism.
The young players understand the task ahead. Despite their excitement to be in the NHL at such a young age, Celebrini and Smith know that even a significant improvement over last season’s 52-point finish will likely see the Sharks in the draft lottery again.
“We have so much talent and guys that could make this roster better in the future,” Celebrini acknowledged. “But at the same time, we can’t just wait around for guys to develop. I think we want to be greedy right now and we want to start changing things right now.”
From College Rivals to Sharks Teammates
Celebrini and Smith’s bond didn`t begin in San Jose; it started with international and collegiate rivalry. They first faced off at the 2023 IIHF U18 World Championships (Celebrini representing Canada, Smith the United States). The rivalry intensified at the World Junior Championships, where Smith led the tournament in points, securing consecutive gold medals for the U.S.
In college, they were on opposite sides of one of hockey’s most storied rivalries, with Celebrini skating for Boston University and Smith for Boston College. They clashed four times, including the Hockey East Championship, with Smith’s BC winning three meetings. Smith topped the nation with 71 points as a freshman, while Celebrini was third with 64, though Celebrini ultimately earned the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top collegiate player.
After the Sharks secured Smith with the fourth pick in 2023 and then won the 2024 draft lottery to land Celebrini, their competitive past quickly dissolved into a natural friendship.
“We never said a word to one another, and then, we came here for development camp,” Smith explained. “And we really haven’t gone many days without each other. We talk about it sometimes that we’re fighting for the scoring title together. I’d check the box score and he’d light it up one night or I’d do the same and he’d get pissed off about it.”
Their connection thrives off the ice, fueled by shared interests like playing golf, intense card games on the team plane, watching movies (Smith recently got Celebrini to watch `Horrible Bosses 2`), and, of course, pingpong. They also benefit from the wisdom of franchise legends; Smith lives with Patrick Marleau while Celebrini resides with Joe Thornton.
Making a Mark: Culture and Comedy
In their first full NHL seasons, Celebrini demonstrated top-line ability, leading the Sharks with 63 points in 70 games and finishing second in Calder Trophy voting. Smith contributed 45 points in 74 games. More important than the statistics, however, was the community they built, extending far beyond the duo to include veterans like Toffoli and younger teammates such as William Eklund and Ty Dellandrea.
Their goofiness has helped shape the locker room culture and, occasionally, spilled into the public eye. The most famous example is the viral “sleepover bet” from March. The duo bet Toffoli that if all three scored in the same game, the veteran would have to sleep in their hotel room. After their 6-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, the Sharks posted a photo of the resulting aftermath: Celebrini and Smith beaming in their respective beds, while Toffoli sheepishly slept on a cot.
The Sharks capitalized on the moment, making the home-opening giveaway a Celebrini and Smith bobblehead set, with an optional Toffoli bobblehead accessory to complete the scene. Toffoli called the whole situation “pretty ridiculous.”
Other moments highlight their youth in less obvious ways. During a break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, the duo organized a five-day golf trip to Arizona with teammates. The only problem? They were too young to rent the accommodations and needed 25-year-old Dellandrea to book their Airbnb.
“You forget how young they are sometimes,” Dellandrea commented. “We forget that because they’re good people and as good hockey players as they are, they’re still that young.”
Veteran Guidance and Warsofsky’s Philosophy
The support system the Sharks have built around Celebrini, Smith, and the rest of the young core (including Sam Dickinson and William Eklund) is crucial for long-term success. Veterans who understand how to foster an organic team culture are key.
Dmitry Orlov, who was part of the Capitals’ Stanley Cup core, emphasized that a team is a “second family” that provides support during difficult times. He noted the particular challenge young players face with easily accessible social media criticism and praise.
Toffoli stresses the importance of consistency, hoping that young players will replicate the professional traits they see demonstrated daily. Dellandrea, having started his career as a young player with the Dallas Stars, brings valuable perspective on navigating that transition.
Coach Warsofsky takes the development of a strong culture personally. Though coaching teenagers has been an “adjustment,” he recognizes the need to let their personalities thrive.
“I’m a big proponent of wanting personalities in our room,” Warsofsky said. “I want energy in the room. I think that’s important and that can be contagious. The more of that we have, the more swagger we’d be having with our hockey team. It translates to the ice.”
