Instant analysis: Blue Jackets draft Adam Fantilli at No. 3 overall

With the third overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Blue Jackets have selected University of Michigan center Adam Fantilli.

Here are five things to know about the second-ever No. 3 overall pick (Pierre-Luc Dubois, 2016) in CBJ history.

READ MORE: 2023 CBJ NHL Draft hub

What should we know about Fantilli?

First off, Fantilli is an 18-year-old center from Canada who spent last season with the University of Michigan. There, he posted historic levels of production, posting totals of 30 goals and 65 points in 36 games to lead college hockey in both stats. In addition, his mark of 1.81 points per game was the best in college hockey since current Winnipeg star Kyle Connor also played at U-M in 2015. With those numbers, Fantilli became the third freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey, joining Paul Kariya and Jack Eichel. In addition, he won a pair of gold medals with Team Canada this past season, first at the IIHF World Junior Championships and then at the IIHF World Championships.

What separates Fantilli from the other options?

The Blue Jackets were in a can't-miss position in the eyes of many scouts and observers, as this year's draft is thought to be one of the most talent-packed in recent years. So what separated Fantilli from fellow centers available like Will Smith and Leo Carlsson? It's the all-around game, as Fantilli doesn't seem to have any major weaknesses as a prospect. He has good size at 6-foot-2, he has excellent scoring touch, and he's not afraid to mix it up, either, with the opposition. Fantilli's physical nature and ability to get in and make things happen on the forecheck help him stand out from the pack and make him the kind of player you can build around.

How do the experts describe his game?

In our consensus poll that mixed together the rankings of 15 different draft experts, Fantilli checked in as the second-best prospect in the draft, and a sample of their descriptions of the pivot reveal they all like his well-rounded game. Scott Wheeler of The Athletic says, "The physical element that he has, that fiery competitiveness that he has, his upside is ultimately just a touch higher than those (other prospects)." Chris Peters of FloHockey adds, "Adam Fantilli has so many traits of a No. 1 center that you say, 'This guy is going to set us up for a long time.'" And Dan Marr, the head of NHL Central Scouting, notes, "It was truly exceptional what he was able to accomplish this year."

What does he bring to the table off the ice?

A few fun facts about Fantilli were gleaned from interviews with him as well as a biography form completed by the prospect at the NHL Scouting Combine in early June. He also played lacrosse growing up, enjoys snowboarding and continues to play golf, listing himself as around an 8 or 9 handicap. A fan of the Boston Bruins and Patrice Bergeron growing up in the Greater Toronto Area, Fantilli is also a big movie buff (he enjoys Marvel films and mafia movies, and says he has seen the movie Elf more than 300 times). He lists his favorite Taylor Swift song as "Love Story."

Watch: Youtube Video

When will he be a Blue Jacket?

Fantilli dominated college hockey a year ago so he may have the opportunity to turn pro right away. He hasn't said definitively one way or another whether he will return to school or go into the pro ranks, as he said at the NHL Combine that the answer will come after discussions with the team that drafts him. It is thought that he would entertain turning pro and joining the Blue Jackets, though, so there is a chance he'll be wearing union blue instead of maize and blue sooner rather than later.