Fantilli Selected in First Round of 2023 NHL Draft
6/28/2023 10:41:00 PM | Ice Hockey
• NHL Draft Tracker
• Michigan Players Selected in the NHL Draft
• Wolverines in the NHL
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Adam Fantilli of the University of Michigan ice hockey team was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft on Wednesday night (June 28).
Fantilli, the 2023 Hobey Baker Award winner, led the nation in scoring as a freshman as he averaged 1.81 points per game. He scored 30 goals and 35 assists in 36 games, with at least one point in 33 games and had 19 multi-point performances. His list of accolades this season includes: Tim Taylor National Rookie of the Year, first team All-America honors, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player, College Hockey News and USCHO Player of the Year, first team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Rookie Team and NCAA All-Regional Team. Fantilli set the Big Ten Tournament record for most goals and points in a single tournament with a scoring line of 7-4-11. He continued his active scoring streak in the NCAA Tournament with three points in the Regionals before scoring his 30th goal in the NCAA semifinal. A +31, Fantilli scored 42 of his 65 points against ranked opponents this past season. The Nobleton, Ontario, native made history internationally as well, as he became just the second Canadian to ever win gold medals at the World Juniors and the World Championship in the same year.
Fantilli is the 33rd Wolverine to be selected in the first round of the NHL Draft, as Michigan leads all universities with the most first-round selections all-time. In the last five years alone, Michigan leads with the way with 11 first-round selections. Michigan holds the record for consecutive years with a draft pick at 28.
