Michigan hockey's Adam Fantilli wins Hobey Baker Award

TAMPA, Fla. — Michigan hockey didn't get the hardware it wanted, but not all its members went home empty handed.

One night after the Wolverines lost to Quinnipiac in the NCAA tournament Frozen Four semifinals, freshman center Adam Fantilli received the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top men's college hockey player.

Fantilli topped two finalists from Minnesota, freshman Logan Cooley and sophomore Matthew Knies. They've got bigger worries, however; the Golden Gophers advanced Thursday to Saturday's title game, where they'll face the Bobcats at 8 p.m (ESPN2) at Amalie Arena.

The trio sat on the stage as the award was announced, with Fantilli, in a gray polo shirt dotted with pineapples and the Block M, finally getting the call to stand up.

“It’s really nerve-wracking,” Fantilli said. “These guys are both phenomenal hockey players, so it could’ve gone any way. I’m extremely honored and grateful to have my name called.”

Fantilli is the third Wolverine to win the award, now in its 43rd season. The others: forward Brendan Morrison (1997) and forward Kevin Porter (2008), both of whom were seniors.

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Before the Hobey Baker was announced, Fantilli was also named college hockey's Tim Taylor Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the West's All-American first team. He's joined on the West's top squad by teammate Luke Hughes on defense and Michigan Tech goalie Blake Pietila. Western Michigan's Jason Polin, who tied for the national lead in goals (30) was named to the West All-Amerian second team, as was Denver's Carter Mazur, the Detroit Red Wings' 2021 third-round pick who signed an entry-level NHL deal last week.

Fantilli led the nation in points this season; his 64 in 35 games before voting was finished — he added a goal in Thursday's loss — were seven more than the No. 2 scorer, Cooley (who added two goals and an assist Saturday). Fantilli entered the Frozen Four with 29 goals, second in the nation and one less than Western Michigan's Jason Polin in four fewer games.

But Fantilli's impact on the maize and blue goes well beyond his NCAA-leading 1.83 points per fame. Just ask his coach, Brandon Naurato, about the likely No. 2 overall pick in June's NHL draft.

"I've talked a lot about Adam this year," Naurato said, "but the things you wouldn't notice is (director of hockey operations) Topher Scott brought his daughter out to skate the other day; she's 6 years old, and a couple of the guys, Adam being one of them, goes and hangs out with her for 15 minutes.

"It's the culture these guys have created, it's a credit to them, and Adam is part of that. He doesn't want to be treated like he's some high-end draft pick or think he's above it, they're all just teammates and buddies."

Fantilli agreed that the Wolverines' culture was special.

“I think it’s the tightest team I’ve ever been on, and that’s a credit to our seniors and our leadership group,” Fantilli said. “Those guys are phenomenal. They made us feel so welcome right from the start. They told us that the closest teams win, and we had quite a bit of that with what — with how close we were able to get.”

Fantilli is just the third freshman to win the Hobey Baker, following Jack Eichel (Boston University, 2015) and Paul Kariya (Maine, 1993).

He's part of a 12-man freshman class that made U-M the youngest team in the nation, but sophomore Dylan Duke, who played with several first-rounders last season and this one, said Fantilli plays well beyond his years.

"I mean Adam is something that you don't get to see very often, he's probably the best player I've ever played with," Duke said "Owen (Power) and Matty Beniers are right there with him, but he does a lot to make himself better and at the end of the day he's a great person and I think that's why he has so much success on the ice."

Fellow freshman Gavin Brindley called him a "generational talent" and joked about how he preferred their relationship this season — playing as his teammate on one of the best lines in the nation and watching hockey in the dorm — to their time as opponents in their youth.

The freshman made sure to thank his parents as part of his acceptance speech.

“I’d like to thank my parents for their unconditional support and encouragement in my career thus far,” Fantilli said. “None of this would be possible without you guys and there aren’t enough words to describe the impact you’ve had on my life.”

Fantilli recorded at least one point in 33 of 36 games and never went consecutive contests without a point as he put together one of the best rookie seasons in NCAA history. His 65 points are the most by any player in college hockey since U-M's Kyle Connor netted 71 (2015-16) before finishing as the Hobey Baker runner-up.

He missed five games due illness, suspension (for a game misconduct following a fight against Michigan State in February) and the World Juniors; the Wolverines went 2-3 in those games. In the three games he didn't get a point, Michigan went 1-2. In all other games, they were 23-7-3.

Fantilli will face a difficult choice this offseason, once he knows what NHL team has his rights: Go pro, or return for a second season and another shot at bringing Michigan a record 10th NCAA title? (NHL teams maintain their draft rights while a player is still in college.)

When pressed by the ceremony host about his future plans, Fantilli was non-committal.

“I, uh, I don’t know yet, but, uh …” and Fantilli trailed off.

The 18-year-old — he'll turn 19 in October — appears ready for the NHL, though he was not among Team Canada's scoring leaders at the World Juniors this winter. The Nobleton, Ontario, native had two goals and three assists over seven games (while averaging 11:31 of ice time per game) in the Canadians' gold-medal effort. Near-certain No. 1 pick Connor Bedard, meanwhile, led all scorers with nine goals and 14 assists over seven games (in 19:36 a game). Team captain Shane Wright, the No. 4 overall NHL draft pick in 2022, had four goals and three assists in 18:54 of average ice time in his seven games.

Two outstanding Wolverines before him faced a similar dilemma.

Luke Hughes was a Hobey Baker top-10 finalist as a freshman last season after putting up 17 goals and 22 assists, for a point total third among Wolverines; the defenseman, who was the No. 4 overall pick by the New Jersey Devils (who also drafted his brother, Jack) in 2021 opted to return for this season and finished with 10 goals and 38 assists for 48 points, which ranked second among Wolverines.

Then-sophomore Matty Beniers was also a Hobey Baker finalist last season after leading the Wolverines with 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists). He opted for the NHL (he was the No. 2 overall pick in 2021) and is a frontrunner for the Calder Trophy, given annually to the league's top rookie 26 and younger, with 22 goals and 33 assists with the Seattle Kraken, who are headed to the NHL playoffs in their second season.

One potential benefit of staying in Ann Arbor for Fantilli: Another season to play with his brother, Luca, who was a freshman this season despite being almost two years older. Luca Fantilli had two goals and five assists this season.

Fantilli made sure to give his brother a shoutout in his speech.

“Luca, my best friend and brother, someone I’m lucky enough to call my teammate,” Fantilli said. “Not many guys get to play with their brother, but I’ve bene fortunate enough to do it for the last four years. None of this would be possible without you today, without you being with me through dorm rooms and billet houses, so, thank you, man.”

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Adam Fantilli of Michigan hockey wins Hobey Baker Award