Celebrini’s Olympic Surge Has Warriors, Sharks and the Bay Area Rooting Hard Ahead of Canada–USA Gold Game
Warriors staff and Bay Area hockey officials have been glued to updates as celebrini leads Team Canada into a high-stakes gold-medal matchup with Team USA, a run that has created an unusual cross-sport storyline spanning Milan to the Chase Center.
Celebrini and the Warriors: a personal rooting interest
As the Warriors prepared to start a Friday morning film session before a Sunday game against the Denver Nuggets, many players and coaches were distracted by a tight Olympic game in Italy — roughly 6, 000 miles from the Chase Center. Coach Steve Kerr said half the team watched the final two minutes because the score was 2-2 and the group was supposed to be starting film at 10 o'clock. The team expects to be tuned in again early Sunday morning when Celebrini and Team Canada take on Team USA for the gold medal.
The connection is deeply personal: Celebrini’s father, Rick, is the Warriors’ vice president of player health and performance and has worked with the organization since 2018. After staying in Los Angeles for a couple of extra days following a recent road trip to be there for Jimmy Butler’s ACL surgery, Rick flew to Milan to join the rest of his family and cheer on his son. That proximity has made Celebrini a member of the Warriors’ extended family and explains the intense interest stateside.
How teammates and staff describe Celebrini’s demeanor and family ties
Members of the Warriors roster who have known the family for years shared memories and impressions. Swingman Moses Moody recalled rehabbing injuries under Rick’s supervision and getting to know Macklin and his siblings. Moody highlighted Macklin’s quiet, precise presence and called attention to younger brother RJ as an up-and-coming teenage hockey player with noticeable composure. Moody even quipped that he hoped Rick would "come back in a good mood" after the Olympics.
Kerr acknowledged limited hockey knowledge but praised what he sees on the ice: steadiness, maturity and leadership uncommon in a 19-year-old. The coach drew a loose parallel to the franchise’s marquee basketball star, noting a rare mix of talent and leadership in Celebrini.
Bay Area reaction: players, coaches and a regional wake-up call
Gary Payton II urged fans to wake up and watch Celebrini’s early puck drop, telling the region that those who tune in will witness a future all-time great and placing him in the company of elite players from past generations. Kerr and other Warriors staff have shared lighter memories too: Kerr remembers watching Celebrini play fullcourt pickup games against mother Robyn and siblings Aiden and Charlie at the team’s old Oakland facility.
Those personal ties — rehab sessions, family pickup games and daily presence around the team — have turned what might have been casual interest into a genuine rooting effort for a local prodigy abroad.
Olympic performance and on-ice impact
Celebrini, 19 and from Vancouver, is the youngest NHL player in the Olympics and the youngest-ever on a Team Canada roster. Through five Olympic appearances he has totaled 10 points while playing alongside established stars like Connor McDavid, Nathan McKinnon and Sidney Crosby. In a dramatic come-from-behind semifinal win, he led Canada in ice time at nearly 26 minutes, registered a team-high eight shots on goal and assisted on McKinnon’s game-winner.
Less than 24 hours before the gold-medal matchup, the puck was scheduled for a 5 a. m. PST start in Italy, underscoring how early Bay Area supporters would need to rise to see the showdown live.
Sharks boom: audience, revenue and franchise strategy
The San Jose Sharks organization and local fans are feeling immediate effects. Team marketing leadership called Celebrini’s Olympic run a must-watch athletic spectacle that is drawing new attention. Some Sharks fans have even pledged allegiance to Team Canada in the tension between national patriotism and regional pride; a local radio host, Derek Papa, said he loves America but believes Celebrini will change things in the Bay Area and compared him to a franchise-transforming player.
Celebrini’s rise has translated to measurable business impact. Since arriving in Milan two weeks ago his fame has surged: his social following grew by roughly 40% and his player profile on the league’s website became the most visited during the Olympic break. That attention is feeding revenue and brand growth for the Sharks back in San Jose. After a rookie season that coincided with the team finishing at the bottom of the Western Conference yet setting a franchise record for single-game ticket sales, the current season — with Celebrini now at 81 points, the fourth most in the league — has the franchise on track to surpass previous marks by nearly $3 million. Historically, the team saw social engagement dip 30–40% during league breaks; this Olympic period is bucking that trend.
Where this goes next
The immediate focus is the gold-medal game against the United States on Sunday and how Celebrini’s performance there will further shape perceptions in the Bay Area and beyond. Back home, Warriors players and Sharks executives alike are watching closely, combining personal pride with clear commercial and cultural implications for a region that may be witnessing the rise of a generational hockey figure.
Details remain fixed to the updates given here; other particulars are unclear in the provided context.
