Three Rising Sophomores Sign with NHL Clubs

Two All-America selections and one national champion have moved on from college hockey after just one season apiece, surrendering their remaining NCAA eligibility in doing so.

Macklin Celebrini (Boston University), who claimed the Hobey Baker Memorial Award and was also an AHCA First Team All-America choice as a 17-year-old, has signed with the San Jose Sharks, who chose him first overall at last month's NHL Draft in Las Vegas after he turned 18. A native of Vancouver, Celebrini tallied 32 goals and 30 assists for 62 points last season to lead BU in scoring, while also earning Hockey East Rookie of the Year and Hockey East Player of the Year accolades. The six-foot, 190-pound center also helped BU to the Beanpot Tournament title game, the Hockey East championship game, and the NCAA Frozen Four while personally earning Hockey East First Team All-Star, Hockey East All-Rookie Team, and national rookie of the year recognition, among other tributes.

Artyom Levshunov (Michigan State) also decided to sign with an NHL club following being drafted last month, when he went second overall to the Chicago Blackhawks. A 6-foot-2, 198-pound defenseman from Zhlobin, Belarus, Levshunov recorded 9-26—35 points in 38 outings last season in helping MSU to its first Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles, along with the Spartans' first NCAA tournament victory since 2008. He also earned AHCA Second Team All-America status, along with All-Big Ten First Team, All-Big Ten Freshman Team, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.

Leaving for the NHL after winning this year's national title was Miko Matikka (Denver), who signed with the Utah Hockey Club that drafted him 67th overall in 2022 when the organization was still based in Arizona. A native of Helsinki, Finland, he registered 20-13—33 points in 43 appearances in helping DU to a record 10th NCAA championship. A 6-foot-3, 201-pound right wing, Matikka, 20, was a unanimous selection to the NCHC All-Rookie Team, and was also a four-time NCHC Rookie of the Week.

All three players signed standard three-year entry-level contracts with their respective NHL clubs, and all three also participated recently in development camps with those organizations.