It’s a big day for the Columbus Blue Jackets as Adam Fantilli signs his entry-level contract. The deal is for three seasons with a $950,000 cap hit. This contract wraps up in the 2026-27 seasons. News of the deal was announced by the team on late Saturday morning.
Adam Fantilli Signs Entry-Level Deal
Fantilli is the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner for the best player in American college hockey. The Toronto native registered 30 goals and 35 assists for 65 points with 10 power play goals with the University of Michigan. Fantilli became the third freshman player to win college hockey’s top individual honour. Columbus selected Fantilli third overall in the recent 2023 NHL Draft on Thursday night in Nashville.
The 6-foot, 2-inch centre has represented his native Canada on the international level. He helped Team Canada earn a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championships and IIHF World Junior Championships. Fantilli also helped the Chicago Steel of the USHL win the Clark Cup championship in the 2020-21 season. The young pivot tallied 55 goals, 55 assists and 110 points with 115 penalty minutes in 103 career outings with the Steel.
What the Adam Fantilli Signing
It’s a landmark day for the Blue Jackets, as the team named Mike Babcock as the new head coach. The deal had been in place for a while, but had to wait until July 1 to make it official. Babcock will be charged with trying to turn the franchise’s fortunes around from a troubled last couple of seasons.
Fantilli is one of a number of Michigan players that are now in the Blue Jackets’ organization. Defenceman Zach Werenski is already with the organization. However, Columbus added Fantilli’s Wolverines teammate Gavin Brindley in the second round. It’s going to feel odd with a number of Michigan players charged with changing the fate of a team in the middle of Ohio State Buckeye country.
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