B.C. Hockey's Golden Generation: Celebrini, Bedard, Primerano Lead Youth Movement
The landscape of Canadian hockey is experiencing a remarkable transformation, with British Columbia emerging as a powerhouse for developing elite young talent. Three names stand at the forefront of this movement: Macklin Celebrini, Connor Bedard, and Chloe Primerano. All under 21 years old and hailing from North Vancouver, these athletes are not just making headlines—they are redefining what is possible for B.C.-born players on the national and international stage.
Olympic Dreams and NHL Stardom
Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old centre for the San Jose Sharks, has secured a coveted spot on Team Canada for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. His performance this season has been nothing short of spectacular, currently ranking fourth in NHL scoring. Recently, he tallied one goal and three assists in a decisive 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena, fueling Hart Trophy most valuable player discussions.
Connor Bedard, the 20-year-old centre for the Chicago Blackhawks, was also in contention for an Olympic berth before a shoulder injury in December sidelined him for 12 games. At the time of his injury, he was sixth in NHL scoring, demonstrating his elite capabilities. Meanwhile, Chloe Primerano, a 19-year-old defender for the University of Minnesota, has sparked debate in women's hockey circles after being left off the Canadian Olympic team, despite her inclusion in last season's world championship squad.
Adding to the provincial pride, Surrey's Jenn Gardiner, a 24-year-old winger for the PWHL's Vancouver Goldeneyes, earned a call-up to the Canadian Olympic women's team. She becomes only the second B.C. player to achieve this feat, following Saanichton defender Micah Zandee-Hart's participation in Beijing 2022.
A Growing List of Hometown Heroes
The success of these young stars is part of a broader trend. This season, several B.C.-born players have scored against the Canucks during hometown visits, including:
- 18-year-old Ben Kindel from Coquitlam (Pittsburgh Penguins)
- 23-year-old Justin Sourdif from Surrey (Washington Capitals)
- 21-year-old Fraser Minten from Vancouver (Boston Bruins)
All three have already reached double-digit goal totals this season, underscoring the depth of talent emerging from the province.
The Development Ecosystem: Evolution and Challenges
Kyle Turris, a former NHL player and current general manager of the North Shore Winter Club, emphasizes that this is just the beginning. "I can tell you there's more good young players on the way," Turris stated. "There's a bunch of kids coming up who are highly talented with a strong work ethic and great motivation."
This generation benefits from a transformed minor hockey landscape, where the sport has become a significant business. Key changes include:
- The proliferation of individual skills coaches
- The normalization of spring hockey programs
- The rise of academy systems that combine high school education with elite hockey training
Cameron Hope, CEO of B.C. Hockey, notes, "The hockey ecosystem is changing all the time but we have some really great programs across B.C. We aren't always going to turn out Celebrinis and Bedards and Primeranos, but players in this province are always going to be able to play at an elite level."
The Cost of Excellence
While opportunities have expanded, they come with a financial burden. The Canadian Sport School Hockey League, which includes 38 programs across Canada and into the United States, features nine programs in B.C. alone. Ian Gallagher, president of the Delta Hockey Academy, explains, "We have choice in B.C. like no other province has. Choice empowers the customer to find best providers. It's really quite entrepreneurial in nature."
However, this shift has drawbacks. Gallagher acknowledges, "There's blowback to that, because we lose the volunteer coach, we lose the altruistic person, we lose some authenticity." Additionally, academy fees can reach approximately $20,000 per season, making elite training inaccessible for some families.
Maco Balkovec, executive director of the Rink Kelowna Academy, highlights the trade-off: "The positive side is that you get an opportunity to work on the craft at an even greater level than anyone before you has. The negative is the cost. It's prohibiting. There are probably great athletes who could have played hockey who aren't playing now because of it."
Family Ties and Future Prospects
The Celebrini family exemplifies the dedication driving this new era. Macklin's brother Aiden, a 21-year-old defenceman at Boston University, was a 2023 sixth-round draft pick by the Canucks. Their younger brother R.J., a 14-year-old forward with the NSWC Under-15 team, has already recorded 52 goals and 115 points in 45 games this season.
Turris observes this commitment firsthand: "It's standard for me to come into work in the morning in the summer and see the three Celebrini siblings already on the ice, and for them to still be out there working on their skills when I go for a lunch break a few hours later." He also notes that a summer skating group at NSWC includes the Celebrini brothers, Bedard, Primerano, and Port Moody's Kent Johnson, a 23-year-old forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Reflecting on the intensity of modern training, Turris adds, "It's incredible to me, because I'm not sure I would have been able that much hockey at a young age. It seems like all the kids are on the ice all day, every day. They're all extremely committed."
A Historic Shift in Draft Dominance
The recent NHL drafts underscore B.C.'s rising influence. The Sharks selected Celebrini first overall in the 2024 draft, following the Blackhawks' choice of Bedard with the top pick in 2023. Prior to this, no B.C. player had been taken first overall since the Edmonton Oilers selected Burnaby centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 2011. Furthermore, a B.C. player has not won the Art Ross scoring title since Victoria's Jamie Benn achieved the feat with the Dallas Stars in the 2014-15 season.
As these young athletes continue to excel, they are not only carving out personal legacies but also inspiring a new generation of hockey players across British Columbia. With a robust development system in place and an unwavering commitment to the sport, the future of B.C. hockey appears brighter than ever.
