LAS VEGAS — Macklin Celebrini insisted he had to suit up in all of his brand-new hockey gear.

It was the youngster’s first skating lesson — not even a game.

His passion for the sport was there in plain sight for parents Rick and Robyn to see.

Celebrini pushed himself from that moment onward. All the work led him to Sin City’s searing heat and the NHL draft.

The San Jose Sharks did the expected inside the mesmerizing Sphere auditorium, selecting the centre out of Boston University in the NCAA with the top pick Friday.