Consensus top-3 pick and big-time Bruins fan admits to watching one Leaf at every opportunity he gets
The 2023 World Junior Championship tournament is fast approaching and I'm sure we're all excited to get an up-close look at many of the top-ranked prospects for the upcoming 2023 NHL Entry Draft, as well as some of the top prospects who have already been drafted but have yet to earn full-time NHL jobs.
We know that all eyes will be on Connor Bedard, but many will also be watching 18-year-old Adam Fantilli very closely. Fantilli is certainly good enough to have gone 1st overall in just about any other year, but with Bedard having that #1 spot all but locked up, Fantilli may have to settle for #2 or #3 this year, depending on what happens with Russian prospect Matvei Michkov.
Fantilli is enjoying a sensational rookie season with the University of Michigan in the NCAA's Big-10. Fantilli currently ranks 3rd in the entire league in points and points per game with 26 points (11G, 15A) and a 1.62 PPG average.
Fantilli spoke with TSN on Saturday, ahead of the WJC tournament, which is set to open on Boxing Day, and one of the questions he was asked is who he models his game after. Fantilli, a noted Bruins fan, listed captain Patrice Bergeron as one of 3 players whom he does his best to emulate. He also mentioned Avs superstar Nathan MacKinnon and Stars captain Jamie Benn as players who he tries to model his game after. There was, however, one more player who stood out in his mind - someone who he has admitted to watching every opportunity he gets. Leafs sniper Auston Matthews. Fantilli revealed on Saturday that he has become a massive Auston Matthews fan after last season's historic 60-goal run.
"I love watching Matthews. I put on a Leafs game every time they play... Putting up 60 doesn't happen often. The way he was able to do it with such a variety of scoring was so special. Just the way he carries himself is really good" -Fantilli on being blown away by Matthews' scoring prowess
Sounds like a Leafs fan to me!
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 17 | 90 ANSWERS Consensus top-3 pick and big-time Bruins fan admits to watching one Leaf at every opportunity he gets How many points will Adam Fantilli score for Canada at the WJC tourney? | ||
| 1-5 | 13 | 14.4 % |
| 6-10 | 49 | 54.4 % |
| 11-15 | 23 | 25.6 % |
| More than 15 | 5 | 5.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
MUST READ
TRENDING NOW
