Michigan players celebrate a goal scored by forward Frank Nazar III (91) against Michigan State during the second period of the “Duel in the D” at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023.
NCAABy Sam Neumann on

While Michigan fell just short of reaching another national championship, the program received some great news on Friday.

After falling to Quinnipiac in the NCAA Tournament Frozen Four semifinals on Thursday, freshman center Adam Fantilli was recognized as the country’s best college hockey player. Fantilli became the third Wolverine in program history and the third freshman at that to ever win the Hobey Baker Award, which is awarded annually to the top men’s college hockey player in the nation.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound freshman center from Nobelton, Ontario led the nation with 65 points, totaling 30 goals and 35 assists. Fantilli was named the Hockey Commissioner Association Player of the Month (February, October) and the Rookie of the Month (October). He also led the nation in points per game with 1.81 ppg (25-31-56) in 31 games and recorded points in 28 of his 31 games played with 17 multi-point performances. Additionally, Fantilli had 10 power-play goals and four game-winning goals on the season.

In addition to those accolades, Fantilli was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection and was named to the Big Ten’s All-Freshman Team. He was also the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. After an illustrious career at Michigan, Fantilli is expected to be a top selection in June’s NHL Draft.

The sports world reacted to the huge Michigan news on social media:

https://twitter.com/BrandonKoretz/status/1644471836263190528?s=20

[Michigan Hockey]

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.

View all posts by Sam Neumann