Meet Adam Fantilli: Not your ordinary second-best prospect

Credit: Dávid Vörös/HIHF

Adam Fantilli likes to stay focused on the task at hand.

On Monday evening at the NHL Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, Fantilli’s NHL fate was likely sealed with the Anaheim Ducks landing the second pick behind the Chicago Blackhawks. Just don’t ask the 18-year-old about the night: he was fast asleep, preparing for Canada’s 5-2 exhibition win over Hungary later that day.

Fantilli could have easily declined the invitation to represent his country at the men’s World Championship. It’s been a busy season for the freshman college student, and with the draft a month away, nobody would have blamed him if he decided to stay home like Connor Bedard and prepare for the hockey mega storm coming his way.

But he didn’t. He traveled to Budapest to be with the squad before heading to Riga, Latvia for the next three weekends. It’s his first action against pro hockey players, and he should play a big role after starting the exhibition game on the second line with Jack McBain and Michael Carcone.

Fantilli said the opportunity to play at the World Championship came together around two weeks ago. The college student said it was a no-brainer to represent his country, something he has done at various junior levels. Fantilli said he didn’t know a ton about the World Championship, but with some extra free time, there was no way he was saying no.

“It’s tough to turn down your country when they call, it’s an honor to wear the jersey anytime you can,” He said. “And then being able to come over here and watch and learn from a bunch of pro guys and get the pro vibe is invaluable.”

Medal or not, it’s another thing to add to the hockey CV before the NHL Draft. It’s not like he needs it: he won gold at the World Junior Championship, and then capped things off with the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top player. He had 65 points (eighth all-time among 18-year-olds), with his 1.81 points-per-game average being the most of any U-19 player in the 2000s.

“(The Hobey) was something I was chasing,” Fantilli said. “Being able to achieve it was something that was felt really good.”

It didn’t come easy. Fantilli had to beat out University of Minnesota forwards Logan Cooley and Matthew Knies, two of the best young prospects in college. In the end, the right decision was made. Fantilli joined an elite class of freshmen to win the Hobey, consisting of just Paul Kariya (1993) and Jack Eichel (2015). Both became top-four picks in the NHL.

Michigan came up just short of advancing to the national final, losing to the eventual champions from Quinnipiac in the Frozen Four. It stung for Fantilli, who knew the team was good enough to go the distance. But the Bobcats had experience, and the veteran-laden lineup ultimately won it all for the first time.

If it ends up being a one-and-done at Michigan, it was quite the ride. But that’s the thing. Fantilli said he hasn’t decided if he’ll return to the Michigan Wolverines or turn pro next year. That’ll depend on the team that picks him, but you can imagine the Ducks will want the sport management student on the opening night roster next year.

But there’s a personal aspect about staying back in Michigan that can’t get lost. Since leaving the Toronto Jr. Canadiens early during the 2019-20 U-16 GTHL season, Fantilli has managed to play with his older brother, defenseman Luca Fantilli. The two attended Kimball Union that season before they both embarked on a two-year run with the USHL’s Chicago Steel. They won a title together in 2021, with Adam being named playoff MVP. They then entered Michigan together as freshmen, so splitting that up would be the end of a remarkable hockey bond that you don’t get all too often.

“Not a lot of people are lucky enough to do that,” Adam said about getting to play with his brother.

Deep down, Fantilli always wanted to go the NCAA route. With a late-2004 birth date, he was going to have to play an extra year of major junior hockey than the rest of his age group. So he wanted to use that potential last season to play college, and if he didn’t make it to the NHL, it was going to set him up much better for turning pro. So while Shane Wright took the exceptional status route, Fantilli decided to stay patient. Based on this year, it worked out just fine.

At this point, there’s not much left for Fantilli to prove in college, whether he admits it or not.

Scouts haven’t found many flaws in Fantilli’s game. He’s got excellent size at 6-foot-2, is a powerful skater and is as smart as they come with the puck. Had be been born in, let’s say, August, we would have been talking about him being the favorite to win the 2023 Calder Trophy. He played up against older competition growing up, which helped him prepare for the different places he played in the past few years.

“The maturity is off the charts, it’s like watching a five-year veteran,” a scout said. “He thinks the game as well as anyone and has the skill to pull off anything he puts his mind to. He’s the complete package.”

That doesn’t mean Fantilli didn’t work hard to improve himself, though.

“This season was just about trying to mature myself and polish my game,” Fantilli said. “I wanted to make sure that every time the puck leaves my stick, it’s positive play and it’s not a turnover. And there’s still work to be done.”

Fantilli won’t back down from a challenge, either. In February, he was suspended for a game for a post-whistle fight with Minnesota State Spartans defenseman Nash Nienhuis. It’s something Fantilli is fine with, acknowledging that fighting is just part of the game.

He plays a style that the old-school, rough-and-tumble fans will appreciate. But with all the new-world flair.

“It’s hard to put into words just how dynamic he can be,” a scout said. “He’s a standout passer. He has excellent top speed. He’s creative and has a pro-ready release. And he’s willing to get in your face, too. He’s a player you build a lineup around.”

Fantilli isn’t focused on the NHL Draft right now. He’s focused on winning gold. And then, maybe after a few days at the draft combine, he’ll slow down a bit. Fantilli doesn’t take anything for granted right now and wants to soak in every opportunity. He doesn’t want to finish the season on a low note after losing the NCAA national title.

And while it’s expected that the Anaheim Ducks will take him with the second pick, Fantilli’s star has only just begun to ascend. Wherever he plays next year, he’ll be ready. You’ll be able to count on him to fight for every puck, stop every attack and even throw it down if he needs to.

Think Jonathan Toews in his prime, but with a bit more edge and snark. The way he thinks the game, sees the ice, shoots the puck, everything. He’s a future NHL captain in the making.

Whatever you do, don’t call him a consolation prize. Fantilli will be a franchise-changer, just like his good pal Connor.

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Meet Adam Fantilli: Not your ordinary second-best prospect

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