The University of Michigan Wolverine superstar freshman Adam Fantilli has picked up a piece of prestigious hardware. Fantilli was named the 2023 NCAA Hobey Baker Award recipient. This caps off a great season from an individual standpoint for the widely regarded number two draft-eligible prospect.
Congratulations to @AdamFantilli of @umichhockey for being named the 2023 Hobey Baker Award recipient 🤩 #NCAAHockey pic.twitter.com/K59hSeu77f
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 7, 2023
Adam Fantilli’s Scoring Dominance Leads to Hobey Baker Award
For Fantilli, he is the complete package, and this award recognizes that distinction. Fantilli beat out the other two finalists. They were Toronto Maple Leaf prospect Matthew Knies and Arizona Coyote prospect Logan Cooley. With Fantilli, he dominated NCAA hockey in 2022-23, currently sitting five points ahead of the University of Minnesota’s Logan Cooley. However, Cooley’s team, the Gophers, will have one more game to pad his stats in the NCAA finals. Back to Fantilli, who totaled 30 goals, and 35 assists, for 65 points in just 36 contests. Moreover, for Fantilli, it is just as much about the intangibles he provides. At 6’2”, he possesses a presence on the ice. His leadership and determination helped guide the Wolverines to the Frozen Four. For the NHL team that drafts him, they will know he can will his team to victory, just like at Michigan as an 18-year-old.
What Does the Future Have in Store
The future is bright for the recipient of the 2023 Hobey Baker Award. Fantilli is expected to be drafted second overall, behind phenom Connor Bedard. As you may recall, Bedard and Fantilli were teammates recently. They were a part of the squad that helped Team Canada capture gold at the 2023 World Junior Tournament. In that tournament, Fantilli ended up with two goals, and three assists in seven games, in somewhat of a depth role. In any sense, look for the future to be bright for the Toronto native, Fantilli. Whichever NHL team drafts him, they can take solace in the fact that he is a leader. His Wolverines came up short, losing to Quinnipiac in the semi-finals. Although that did nothing to sway the voters away from the dominant season Fantilli compiled in 2022-23. He was a well-deserved winner, and the sky is the limit for this superstar.
Main Photo: John Mersits / USA TODAY NETWORK
