Michigan Hockey makes another splash by landing elite prospect
Michigan hockey is loaded with talent heading into this season and now, with a huge commitment for 2022, the Wolverines should stay that way.
There has been a ton of buzz about the Michigan hockey team in recent weeks, with the news that all of the Wolverines 2021 NHL draft picks were going to return for this upcoming season.
Seeing that Michigan hockey was poised to make a run in the NCAA tournament last spring before COVID-19 ended their hopes as the Wolveines were unable to participate, U-M appears to have all the pieces required a run to the Frozen Four with four of the top five draft picks wearing Maize and Blue next season.
It’s made the Wolverines a hot topic of conversation and Michigan hockey fans are only to get more excited when they learn that one of the top 2023 NHL draft prospects, Adam Fantilli, has committed to play for the Wolverines according to Jon Morosi of the NHL Network.
BREAKING: Source says center Adam Fantilli, top prospect for the 2023 @NHL Draft, has made a verbal commitment to the University of Michigan. Big news in hockey circles. @NHLNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 25, 2021
Fantilli is an Ontario native and has been playing in the junior hockey ranks. He will play in the USHL this season which is the top junior hockey league sponsored by USA Hockey.
The talented prospect who some believe could be the top NHL draft pick to play college hockey in the 2022-23 season, will join his brother Luca Fantilli who will be playing for Michigan hockey this season. Here’s what Steve Lorenz of The Michigan Insider wrote:
"“Some believe Adam Fantilli is a top-three prospect in the 2023 NHL Draft and he could be the top player from his class to play in the NCAA. Last season, he scored 18 goals and added 18 assists in 49 games in the USHL.”"
Also if you’re out of the loop, here is what Lorenz wrote about the 2022 campaign.
"“This upcoming season, the Wolverines will be led by a cadre of elite, young talent as Michigan features multiple first-round NHL Draft picks, including three of the top five in this year’s draft with defenseman Owen Power along with forwards Matty Beniers and Kent Johnson.”"
Obviously, it would be nice if Michigan football could recruit this well, but Juwan Howard and the hoops team have been rolling, even if they did just lose the No. 1 ranking in 2021 after Emoni Bates went to Memphis.
But with all the talent in Ann Arbor, both for next season and in the future, the Wolverines could be chasing championships this spring in more than one sport.