Adam Fantilli

Adamo Giuliano Fantilli (born October 12, 2004) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted third overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. During his freshman season at the University of Michigan he was the leading goal and point-scorer and won the Hobey Baker Award, becoming the third freshman to win the award, after Paul Kariya in 1993 and Jack Eichel in 2015. Playing career Early years Fantilli was drafted in the first round, 18th overall, by the Saginaw Spirit in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft. He was considered the top Canadian prospect in the draft, however, he had already committed to play for the Chicago Steel. On September 13, 2021, the Spirit exercised their defected player rule and traded Fantilli's OHL playing rights to the North Bay Battalion. Saginaw received a first-round pick, 19th overall, in the 2022 draft, one spot after the player was originally drafted, as compensation for the player failing to report to the team. They will also receive four conditional picks if Fantilli ever plays in the OHL. Fantilli attended Kimball Union Academy where he recorded 18 goals and 18 assists in 25 games. On March 25, 2020, Fantilli signed a USHL tender agreement with the Chicago Steel for the 2020–21 season. During the regular season he recorded 18 goals and 18 assists in 49 games for the Steel and was named to the USHL All-Rookie Second Team. During the Clark Cup playoffs, he recorded eight goals and one assist in eight games to help lead his team to the Anderson Cup and Clark Cup. He was subsequently named the Clark Cup Playoffs MVP. During the 2021–22 season, he led the team in scoring and recorded 37 goals and 37 assists in 54 games. His 37 goals were the second-most in a single season in program history. His 74 points tied him with Kyle Connor for the most points by a player in their draft-minus-one season in USHL history. Following the season he was named to the All-USHL First Team.