Macklin Celebrini Named NHL 27 Cover Athlete

Macklin Celebrini, at 20 years old, became the cover athlete for EA Sports NHL 27 after posting 115 points, fourth in league scoring.

Early dominance sets stage

Celebrini accumulated 115 points in his second NHL season with the San Jose Sharks. He finished fourth in overall league scoring behind only three established veterans. The 20-year-old center outpaced 95 percent of qualified skaters in points per game.

San Jose missed the playoffs for the second straight year. Celebrini still produced at an elite rate despite limited supporting cast depth. His output contrasted sharply with the team’s 68-point finish.

Team Canada selected Celebrini for the 2026 Olympics. He contributed eight points in six games before the quarterfinal exit. The performance aligned with his club production and reinforced his status as a generational talent.

EA Sports cited both club and international impact when announcing the cover. Senior game design director Mike Inglehart noted Celebrini embraces everything NHL 27 represents.

Cover selection signals shift

NHL 27 arrives September 4. Celebrini appears on every edition, the first individual cover athlete since Cale Makar in NHL 24. The prior two games featured the Tkachuk brothers and the Hughes brothers respectively.

No Sharks player had graced the cover since Owen Nolan in 2001. Celebrini ends a 25-year drought for the franchise. Lead producer Andy Beaudoin highlighted Celebrini’s speed and skill as ideal for the new title.

The choice reflects EA’s focus on young, dynamic stars. Celebrini’s 115-point campaign provided concrete statistical backing. His age and trajectory supplied narrative momentum for marketing.

Future implications for game and league

Celebrini’s cover placement positions him alongside past icons who appeared early in their careers. The 115-point total places him in rare company for a player under 21. Only a handful of teenagers have reached that mark historically.

The September 4 release date gives developers time to incorporate his latest season into gameplay modes. Players will encounter updated ratings reflecting his real-world dominance. The cover itself becomes a marketing anchor for the annual cycle.

Celebrini’s individual honor arrives while the Sharks continue their rebuild. The contrast between personal achievement and team results mirrors earlier cover athletes who carried franchises through transition years.