DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – Adam Fantilli continued the Michigan Hockey tradition of NHL first-round draft picks being picked third on Wednesday night by the Columbus Blue Jackets. It is the second time in the last three drafts that the Wolverines have recorded a top three draft pick. Owen Power was the no. 1 pick and Matty Beniers the no. 2 pick in the 2021 draft.
Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalanien said about Fantilli, “I think we got a great player. As I said all along, I think we’re going to get a great player at No. 3, and we got Adam. We are very pleased. He’s exactly what we need, exactly the player we’re always looking for – a 200-foot player that plays the game the right way, produces, but not just with the skill but the determination and character and will. Those players are rarely available, so we’re very, very pleased to have him.”
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Fantilli showed his character at the draft with his suit he wore on Wednesday night. The maroon look was very stylish added with a personal touch – a custom made vest with names inside of it. The vest included over 130 names printed on the back of it as his way of recognizing all those who helped him get to that night on the stage.
He says, “It was my parent’s idea to get the list of names and then a lot of the suit people were telling me I couldn’t get it on the liner. I figured it would be a little bit better if I put it on the back of the three-piece and then put pictures on the inside of the suit. It turned out exactly like I wanted it to. I was so, so excited.”
Michigan’s top player this past season and the 2023 Hobey Baker Award winner, he lead the nation in scoring in the NCAA as a freshman averaging 1.81 points per game. He recorded 30 goals, 35 assists in 36 games played.
Playing in Columbus will not be hard for Fantilli as it is close to home despite being in the central of THE rivalry. Earlier this season when he was asked where he wanted to go in the draft he said “Columbus.” The Toronto-area native said, “I do remember saying that. It’s close to home. I thought it would be a great fit. There’s a lot of Michigan guys there. It just felt like it would be the right spot.”
Columbus will be a great fit for Fantilli and they believe he will help take Columbus to the next level.
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