Aiden Celebrini isn’t rushing his path to the NHL, choosing to stay at Boston University for another season rather than sign with the Vancouver Canucks this spring.
The 20-year-old defenseman, picked by Vancouver in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, has been steadily developing his game at the college level. He’s put up six points in 26 games this season, including one goal and five assists, while maintaining a solid +8 rating.
His younger brother Macklin, now turning heads as a rookie with the San Jose Sharks, shared the news during a recent chat with Sharks Hockey Digest.
"He’s developed really well," Macklin said of his brother. "He’s a defensive defenseman, lockdown, and he’s good at what he does."
The younger Celebrini even painted an intriguing picture for Canucks fans, suggesting it would be "really cool" to see his brother eventually paired with Quinn Hughes on Vancouver’s blue line.
Aiden’s decision comes at an interesting time for the Canucks’ NCAA pipeline. The team’s top prospect, Tom Willander, is expected to sign in the coming weeks, while goalie Aku Koskenvuo just inked his entry-level deal.
For now, though, the Vancouver native will continue honing his shutdown game with the Terriers, building on the strong foundation he established during his time with the Brooks Bandits in the AJHL.
It’s a patient approach that could pay off big for both Celebrini and the Canucks in the long run.
