Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old center for the San Jose Sharks and the top pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, ranks among the league’s elite young talents with the fourth-highest points total this season. Celebrini’s potential as a future NHL MVP has made his autographed trading cards highly sought after. However, instead of signing his full name, Celebrini chooses to autograph his cards using the nickname “Chester,” an unusual alias he has embraced.
The Origin of Celebrini’s “Chester” Nickname and Its Curious Backstory
The trading card producer Topps revealed that Celebrini signs as Chester because it is the nickname he adopted. The origin of the nickname traces back to the 2024 NHL Draft when NBA star Steph Curry supposedly coined it. According to Curry, Celebrini’s hands were
“so filthy, just like after eating a big ol’ bag of Cheetos,”
inspiring the nickname Chester, a playful nod to a person covered in cheesy residue.
“Just how did Steph Curry come up with the nickname ‘Chester’ for Macklin Celebrini? 🤔 During the 2024 NHL Draft, Curry gave Celebrini the nickname ‘Chester’ because, as the Warriors star put it, ‘his hands are so filthy, just like after eating a big ol’ bad of Cheetos.’” — Upper Deck Sports
Various reputable outlets, including The Athletic, Bleacher Report Open Ice, and ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, have cited this story to explain the nickname’s emergence.
The Surprising Truth: The Quote Was Fabricated on Social Media
Despite widespread reports, the quote attributed to Steph Curry never actually came from him. Instead, it originated as a satirical tweet by the X user @SnipeCity420, who creates humorous, made-up nicknames and attributes them to famous athletes for fun. The fake Curry quote was taken seriously by media, leading to the nickname gaining unintended traction.
“I don’t even know if Macklin Celebrini knows this is a satirical joke I made up. If you’ve followed me long enough you know my schtick is making up cheesy player nicknames & relentlessly tweeting them. (e.g. Slippery Pete). The Score & B/R Open Ice saw my satirical made up Steph…” — SnipeCity420
This revelation shows that the supposed origin story is a fabrication, despite the widespread belief in its authenticity.
The Connection Between Celebrini and Steph Curry’s Organization Adds Intrigue
Adding another layer to this story is Celebrini’s family link to the Golden State Warriors. His father, Rick Celebrini, serves as the Vice President of Player Health and Performance for the Warriors, which means Curry and the organization are well acquainted with the young hockey superstar. Still, despite this connection, the quote about the nickname remains a social media invention rather than an official remark from Curry or his team.
What This Means for Celebrini’s Identity and Hockey Nicknames
In a sport where nicknames often remain straightforward or slight variations of a player’s name, “Chester” stands out as entertaining and memorable. While Celebrini’s adoption of the nickname based on a false claim might seem awkward, it has stuck and even added charm to his public persona. This underscores how quickly misinformation can become accepted as fact in sports culture. Celebrini’s case may serve as a reminder to verify sources before embracing stories, yet it also shows how players can shape their own unique identities in unexpected ways.
Just how did Steph Curry come up with the nickname “Chester” for Macklin Celebrini? 🤔
During the 2024 NHL Draft, Curry gave Celebrini the nickname “Chester” because, as the Warriors star put it, “his hands are so filthy, just like after eating a big ol’ bad of Cheetos”.
While… pic.twitter.com/EP3XKTRKOn
— Upper Deck (@UpperDeckSports) February 7, 2026
Steph Curry has an ELITE nickname for Macklin Celebrini 😂🧀
(via @emilymkaplan) pic.twitter.com/WeohWfQ8Ar
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 28, 2024
I don’t even know if Macklin Celebrini knows this is a satirical joke I made up.
If you’ve followed me long enough you know my schtick is making up cheesy player nicknames & relentlessly tweeting them. (e.g. Slippery Pete)
The Score & B/R Open Ice saw my satirical made up Steph… https://t.co/2ZkRbRa6Z8 pic.twitter.com/ZyiXcnJRjO
— SnipeCity420 (@SnipeCity420) February 7, 2026
