Summer 2021. At an arena in suburban Detroit, Adam Fantilli is in talks with the University of Michigan to join their highly regarded NCAA hockey program.
The young prospect, who is not even 17 years old yet, participates in a series of on-ice exercises with some players whose names are now well known throughout the NHL.
Quinn, Jack and Luke Hughes were there, as were Cole Caufield and Matty Beniers.
And despite his young age, the Ontarian born in Nobleton had nothing to envy to the others.
“He’s a star. He fit right in,” recalled University of Michigan Wolverines head coach Brandon Naurato, who was an assistant coach at the time.
Fantilli will have another big moment Wednesday night in Nashville at the NHL Draft.
The 6-foot-2 center, who weighs 195 pounds, should hear his name on the Bridgestone Arena stage shortly after Connor Bedard — who will likely be the Chicago Blackhawks’ No. 1 pick.
Fantilli finished atop the NCAA scoring standings last season with 65 points, including 30 goals, in 36 games. He led his team to an unexpected participation in the Frozen Four in addition to receiving the Hobey-Baker Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in American college hockey.
He also helped Canada win gold at both the World Junior Championship and the World Senior Championship in recent months.
His expectations for the season, Fantilli “greatly exceeded”.
“I was lucky to be able to play with so many outstanding players,” he said.
But not everything went as planned for the 18-year-old — at least initially.
At the start of the campaign, Bedard and Fantilli were both part of the discussions regarding the eventual first choice in the NHL draft.
But at the end of the World Junior Hockey Championship, which took place in December and during which the two forwards were teammates, it became clear that Bedard would be the chosen one.
He had just rewritten the tournament record books, with a jaw-dropping attacking performance, while Fantilli was given a supporting role.
Still, he didn’t give up.
“I don’t necessarily need to be in a leading role to have an impact. I’m proud to be so combative,” he said, adding that he hopes this versatility will allow him to stand out in the NHL.
His trainer agrees.
“I’m proud to see he has the maturity to put the good of the team ahead of his own,” Naurato said of the second-ranked North American skater heading into the draft.
Fantilli, who could have been drafted first overall in many other years, is however not disappointed to experience his draft session at the same time as Bedard.
“He deserves everything that happens to him. A lot of people are watching it, we’re in very different situations,” Fantilli said of the 17-year-old Regina Pats center.
According to the director of the NHL’s Central Scouting, Dan Marr, even if Bedard is in a class of his own, the team that will draft Fantilli will not have to be ashamed.
He compares the situation of the two players to that of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who are two stars with the Edmonton Oilers.
“You can’t be wrong,” Marr said. They are both going to be phenomenal players. »
