Hockey Canada is breathing a sigh of relief as the IIHF announced that 17-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini will not be suspended for a dangerous hit in Canada's second pre-tournament game. Celebrini was assessed a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for boarding Switzerland’s Leo Braillard in the second period of Canada's 6-3 win

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The IIHF ruled that the penalty as called on the ice was sufficient after a review from the disciplinary committee.

The IIHF Disciplinary Panel has ruled that there will be no further supplementary discipline implemented against @hockeycanada's Macklin Celebrini. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/NNA0aYXHwg

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 23, 2023

The check was uncharacteristic of Celebrini's game as he picked up more penalty minutes on that one infraction than he had in 15 games with Boston University, where he is the team's top scorer with 25 points. He had just six penalty minutes over the entire season to date.

Losing Celebrini for the opener would have been a tough blow for a Canadian team that was already faced with questions about its overall scoring depth. The good news for Canada, however, is that it was recently loaned Matt Poitras from the Boston Bruins, but Celebrini is viewed as a potential key offensive player.

Celebrini is due to be Canada’s No. 2 center, often centering a line with Fraser Minten (TOR) and Jordan Dumais (CBJ). The 17-year-old is the projected No. 1 pick for the 2024 NHL Draft and is expected to be a significant piece as Canada aims to win a third straight gold medal at the World Juniors.

Despite missing half of Friday's game following the ejection, Celebrini is still the top scorer among all players in pre-tournament action, with five points through two games including a goal and four assists.

With Celebrini cleared of supplemental discipline, Canada now can turn its attention to the health of its blue line, which has been in question for the last several days.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tristan Luneau (ANA) has not played in any of the pre-tournament games as he is dealing with an illness, per reports. Additionally, Tanner Molendyk (NSH) was injured in the game against Switzerland and his status is unknown for the tournament. Hockey Canada recently announced the addition of defenseman Jorian Donovan (OTT) to camp as a bit of an insurance policy in case they have to make a change on defense before the puck drops.

Canada is expected to play its pre-tournament exhibition with the United States Saturday with just five defensemen, but will have to make some decisions about its lineup before that critical tournament-opening matchup against Finland on Boxing Day.

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