The Columbus Blue Jackets’ most recent first-round pick, Adam Fantilli, is still on cloud nine after attending his new team’s development camp.
The 18-year-old dazzled during the four days of camp, notably scoring a “Michigan-type” goal during training.
“The warm welcome was extraordinary. I’m very excited to come back in the fall,” Fantilli said on Wednesday, the comments of which were reported by the National Hockey League (NHL) website.
In addition, several Jackets fans wore University of Michigan Wolverines jerseys, which is the team he played with last season. The striker has also signed many autographs.
“I remember when I was a kid in Toronto and when the players passed by me, I wanted to stop and take a picture with them and watch them play,” he said. I’m happy that I can be that type of person.”
Fantilli was also able to experience the excitement of a sporting event in the state capital of Ohio.
He received a standing ovation from 20,000 spectators at the Crew Columbus soccer game on 1er July. Fantilli had signed his entry contract into the Bettman circuit a few hours earlier in the day.
If all goes as planned, the main interested party should be the starting lineup for the Blue Jackets’ opener on October 12 at Nationwide Arena against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The new face of the dealership
After a disastrous final season finishing second-to-bottom in the overall NHL standings, the Ohio squad had a lucky hand in selecting this hopeful player with the third selection in the auction. 2023.
It must be said that the Ontarian broke everything in the American university ranks in 2022-2023. The Nobleton native became the third freshman skater to claim the Hobey Baker Trophy, awarded to the NCAA Most Outstanding Player. The first two to accomplish this feat of arms are Paul Kariya in 1993 and Jack Eichel in 2015.
The 6’1” athlete was sensational in his draft year with 65 points, 30 goals and 35 assists in 36 games.
The center player has also made a name for himself on the international scene with the Canadian squad. He allowed the maple leaf to win the gold medal during the last Junior and Senior World Championships.