Blue Jackets draft Hobey Baker winner Adam Fantilli 3rd overall
The Columbus Blue Jackets landed top prospect Adam Fantilli with the third overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Adam Fantilli
Position: Center
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 195 lbs
Shoots: Left
Age: 18
Club: University of Michigan (NCAA)
Nationality: 🇨🇦
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 2nd among North American skaters
2022-23 stats
| GP | G | A | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 36 | 30 | 35 | 65 |
| World juniors | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| World Championship | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Fantilli became just the third freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's top player in 2023 after topping the nation in points and tying for the lead in goals while at Michigan. He posted the best college numbers since Winnipeg Jets star Kyle Connor scored 35 goals and 71 points for the Wolverines in 2015-16.
The Nobleton, Ontario, native recorded 19 multi-point contests in 2022-23 - including five four-point efforts - and was held off the scoresheet only three times.
That incredible production didn't quite translate onto the international stage, but Fantilli helped Canada win gold at the 2023 World Junior Championship and IIHF World Championship. He was the youngest player on the team at Worlds, and his sole goal at the tournament was a beauty that propelled Canada to the final.
Fantilli wrote in early June that he'll wait until after the draft before deciding whether he'll return to Michigan for his sophomore season. In April, Fantilli said he saw "positives" in returning to school or jumping to the NHL.
"I know there are still areas of my game I have to polish, and living on a college campus for another year helps you grow as a person, helps you grow as a man, and helps you mature," he told NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale.
Fantilli's impressive Michigan debut came after he lit up the USHL as a member of the Chicago Steel, amassing 110 points in 103 contests over two seasons.
He sported a custom suit at the draft that featured over 140 names of the people - including family members, teachers, and coaches - who helped him reach the NHL.
#CBJ Adam Fantilli had his suit custom-made for the #NHL Draft, with all the names of the family, coaches, teachers, advisors, and others who have impacted his life and helped pave his path to the NHL. Over 140 names listed on the back of his vest and lining his jacket. pic.twitter.com/rkdvwIGfzi
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 29, 2023
What they're saying
"There's so much to love about Fantilli's NHL projection," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote in May. "He's got a huge frame, skates well, and competes very hard. He wins a lot of battles and isn't shy to use his big frame to lay out opponents.
"He has game-breaking puck skills and will be able to beat NHL opponents regularly with his puck-handling, especially given his speed and wingspan. ... He checks every box and projects as a No. 1 center on a good NHL team."
"He's going to be a transition monster," said The Athletic's Scott Wheeler. "On top of it all, he's physical, he's a fiery competitor, he's strong in the faceoff circle, he'll get after it on forecheck and track pucks, he plays with energy, and he'll pounce on turnovers and be opportunistic. ... When he's on, he can completely take over a game."
Click here to watch Fantilli's highlights.