San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini has been officially announced as the cover athlete for EA Sports' NHL 27, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. The announcement, made Tuesday, July 14, 2026, confirms Celebrini as the youngest player in history to be featured on the cover of the popular hockey video game franchise.
Celebrini, a native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, is coming off a spectacular 2025-26 season where he recorded 115 points, including 45 goals and 70 assists in 82 games. This impressive performance placed him among an elite group of teenage players to surpass the 100-point mark in an NHL season, joining legendary names like Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby. His rookie season saw him named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie.
The 20-year-old forward, who was the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, has also made his mark on the international stage. Celebrini represented Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he contributed significantly to the team's silver medal performance, and captained Canada at the World Championships. His inclusion on the NHL 27 cover also makes him the second San Jose Shark to be featured, following Owen Nolan on NHL 2001.
EA Sports is set to release the NHL 27 trailer on July 16, giving fans their first glimpse of the game and its cover star in action. The game is scheduled for release on September 11, 2026.
