Story Summary
Macklin Celebrini and actor Belmont Cameli posed together for a cover shoot for a sports magazine issue on Aug. 17, a crossover that found the San Jose Sharks forward standing in front of a white backdrop with hockey sticks in hand alongside the ‘Off Campus’ star. Celebrini, who turned 20 in June and had 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in his second NHL season, discussed the experience while in Las Vegas for the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour. The session followed a year in which Celebrini became a prominent face of hockey – he also graces the cover of EA Sports NHL 27 – and intersected with a growing television spotlight on the sport through series such as ‘Off Campus’.
Key Facts
- The photo shoot took place on Aug. 17 for a sports magazine issue.
- Participants were San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini and actor Belmont Cameli.
- Celebrini turned 20 in June.
- Celebrini had 115 points in his second NHL season: 45 goals and 70 assists.
- Celebrini is on the cover of EA Sports NHL 27.
- Belmont Cameli stars as Garrett Graham in the series ‘Off Campus’.
- Off Campus centres on a fictional university hockey player who is the son of a hockey legend; the series is based on books by Elle Kennedy.
- Celebrini discussed the shoot in Las Vegas during the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour.
- Celebrini nearly appeared in an episode of Off Campus, which films in Vancouver, but the schedules did not align.
- Celebrini described the shoot as his ” first model-y thing” and called Cameli ” a great guy,” saying the interview felt ” very natural.”
- Celebrini linked the TV coverage and other attention to a broader cultural rise in hockey’s profile, noting momentum since the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
IHM Discussion
The session pairs a rising NHL star with a television actor whose role centres on college hockey, an example of the sport crossing into mainstream entertainment. Celebrini’s presence in a fashion-led photo spread – alongside the fact he appears on EA Sports NHL 27 – underlines how quickly his public profile has expanded following a standout second season. The shoot was promotional and lifestyle-focused rather than competitive or team-related: the two men posed against a white backdrop, each holding a hockey stick, with Celebrini in dark trousers and an olive-toned open-collar shirt and Cameli in dark slacks with a tucked blue striped shirt.
Celebrini framed the experience as novel, calling it his “first model-y thing” and saying the shoot felt different from the media tour. He described Cameli as comfortable in the setting because of his acting and modelling experience. His comments emphasised enjoyment and novelty, not any change to his on-ice role or routine.
Why It Matters
This crossover extends hockey’s visibility beyond traditional sports platforms. Celebrini linked the attention around hockey and television projects to momentum since the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, while his 115-point season makes him a natural focal point for that spotlight. A young player drawing mainstream media interest can introduce the sport to casual viewers without implying any change to his play on the ice.
Mini Q&A
Who posed with Macklin Celebrini for the cover shoot?
Actor Belmont Cameli, who stars as Garrett Graham in the series ‘Off Campus’.
When and where did Celebrini discuss the photo shoot?
Celebrini discussed the shoot while in Las Vegas for the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour.
What were Celebrini’s statistics in his second NHL season?
Celebrini had 115 points: 45 goals and 70 assists in his second NHL season.
Did Celebrini appear in an episode of ‘Off Campus’?
No. He nearly appeared in an episode, which films in Vancouver, but the timing did not work out.
Is Celebrini featured elsewhere in popular media?
Yes. Celebrini also graces the cover of EA Sports NHL 27.
Coach Mark Comment
Celebrini’s comments suggest he approached the shoot with the right perspective: it was a new experience away from the rink, not a substitute for hockey work. For an elite young player, keeping those boundaries clear allows off-ice opportunities to sit comfortably alongside preparation.
IHM Final View
Celebrini’s cover shoot with Belmont Cameli shows how quickly a young talent can move beyond sport-specific attention into broader cultural moments. The shoot is a notable off-ice moment, while Celebrini’s 115-point season and EA Sports NHL 27 cover remain the clearest measures of his growing profile.