The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee announced today the 2023 recipient of college hockey’s top individual prize is Adam Fantilli from the University of Michigan. The announcement came during a live broadcast on NHL Network and hobeybaker.com.
Adam Fantilli is a freshman who made an immediate impact when he came to the University of Michigan this season. The Nobleton, Ontario native has been one of the most electric players to watch in college hockey with his knowledge of the game and offensive skillset.
Fantilli is a force to be reckoned with whenever he is on the ice. This season, he played on the power play, penalty kill, took big faceoffs, and was on the ice in all end of game situations. His combination of skill, hockey sense, and compete has impacted the game in all areas when he’s been on the ice.
He was a vital piece to the Wolverines trip to the Frozen Four, and is the NCAA point leader with 65. His impressive numbers don’t end there as he is tied for first in the nation in goals with 30, fifth in assists at 35, and leads the nation in points per game with a 1.81 average.
The Big Ten named Fantilli Freshman of the Year, First Team All Conference, and to the All Freshman Team. In addition to his standout freshman season at Michigan, Fantilli helped lead Canada to a gold medal at the 2023 World Junior Championships, and had five points in seven games. At 18 years old, he is expected to be a top three pick at the 2023 NHL Draft.
Hobey Baker was the legendary Princeton (1914) hockey player known as America’s greatest amateur athlete over one hundred years ago. He redefined how the game was played with his coast-to-coast dashes in an era when hockey was contested by seven players and no forward passes. Baker, a member of the U.S. Army’s Air Corp, died testing a repaired aircraft at the end of World War I after he had completed his military service. The Hobey Baker Award criteria includes: displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements. Fantilli was selected from a group of ten finalists by a 30-member selection committee and online fan balloting.
NOTE: Members of the media can access a photo of Adam Fantilli and the Hobey Baker trophy by visiting www.hobeybaker.com/media. Fantilli, along with the Hobey Baker Legend of College Hockey, Jerry York, will be honored at an upcoming banquet and golf tournament August 3, in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. For more information on the Hobey or to access photos, please visit www.hobeybaker.com/media.
