NHL 27 Reveals Its New Superstar — Macklin Celebrini Becomes the Youngest Cover Athlete in Series History

EA Sports has officially announced that Macklin Celebrini will be the cover athlete for NHL 27, making the San Jose Sharks sensation the youngest player ever to appear on the cover of the long-running hockey franchise. At just 20 years old, Celebrini becomes the face of the next generation of NHL stars, replacing established veterans as EA looks toward the future of the sport.

The honor follows a remarkable breakthrough season for the Canadian center. Celebrini finished among the NHL's top scorers, represented Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and earned recognition as one of hockey's brightest young talents. He also becomes only the second San Jose Sharks player to appear on the cover of an EA Sports NHL game, following Owen Nolan, who fronted NHL 2001 more than two decades ago.

EA Sports described the cover reveal as a celebration of hockey's emerging generation. The official reveal trailer for NHL 27 is scheduled to premiere this week, where fans are expected to get their first look at new gameplay features, visual improvements, and innovations coming to this year's installment. While EA has not yet revealed the full list of gameplay changes, the publisher is positioning Celebrini as the symbol of the franchise's new era.

For many fans, Celebrini's selection feels like a natural milestone. After a historic rise through junior hockey, an outstanding NHL debut, and a breakout second season, the young center has quickly become one of the league's biggest stars. By making him the youngest cover athlete in the series' history, EA Sports is signaling that Macklin Celebrini is expected to be one of the defining faces of hockey for years to come.