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The 2023 NHL Entry Draft has been dubbed the "Connor Bedard Draft", however, whichever team lands the second-overall pick should be excited to land Adam Fantilli. The center, who currently plays for the University of Michigan, has been a force this season in the Big-10 league of the NCAA.
In 32 games this season, Adam Fantilli has posted 27 goals and 33 assists for the University of Michigan. The talented forward is aiming to become just the fourth freshman in the past 24 years to score at a two-point or higher per-game rate.
"@AdamFantilli better win the Hobey Baker! If he doesn’t it will just prove the award is a joke. He’s the best player in @NCAAIceHockey and it’s not even close this year." - Tate Precord
The 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ontario, Canada dominated the Big-10 this season, winning several awards in the process. Fantilli was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He was also named to the All-Big Ten First Team and the All-Big Ten Freshman Team.
Fantilli has only been behind Connor Bedard on nearly every prospect ranking list heading toward the June NHL Entry Draft. At 6'0" and 191 lbs, the center should have no issues adjusting to the NHL game as he makes his way through his professional career.
"Knies winning player of the year in Big-10 over Adam Fantilli would be like NHL Hart voters being like "Nah, Connor McDavid isn't the best player in the NHL, Brock Nelson is"" - Andrew Berkshire
Prior to his time with the University of Michigan, Fantilli signed a USHL tender agreement with Chicago Steel for the 2020–21 season. He finished the season with 18 goals and 18 assists in 49 games for the Steel, en route to being named to the USHL All-Rookie Second Team.
He contributed to his team winning the Anderson Cup and Clark Cup by scoring eight goals and one assist in eight games during the Clark Cup playoffs. He later received the Clark Cup Playoffs MVP award.
He led the team in scoring the following season with 37 goals and 37 assists in 54 games. In the program's history, his 37 goals were the second-most in a single season. His 74 points tied him with Kyle Connor (now with the Winnipeg Jets) for the most points by a player in their draft-minus-one season in USHL history.
Which team is favored to land Adam Fantilli in this year's draft?
Currently, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the San Jose Sharks, and the Chicago Blackhawks hold the best odds for landing the top three picks. If the lottery plays out exactly as the odds are currently, Adam Fantilli might be the next star of the San Jose Sharks.
"#SJSharks Goals for a terrible Sharks season: third Norris Trophy for Erik Karlsson, healthy Nikolai Knyzhov taking NHL ice, Sharks drafting Michigan forward Adam Fantilli #2 overall, Corey Perry getting speared in the gentlemens balloons. Halfway there." - Jon Swenson
This would also mean that the Columbus Blue Jackets would land Connor Bedard, and either Leo Carlsson, Matvey Michkov, or William Smith going to the Blackhawks.
