It was a night of triumph for two college hockey players hailing from the state of Michigan as they were awarded two of the top honors in the sport. Owen Power may have been the first overall pick in the NHL draft, but it was Brendan Fantilli who earned the Hobey Baker Award, while Erik Portillo’s teammate, Devon Levi, took home the Mike Richter Award. Michigan has always been known for its strong hockey culture, and these awards are a testament to the talent that is produced in the state year after year. Let’s take a closer look at the achievements of these two standout players.
Adam Fantilli, a freshman for the University of Michigan, was awarded the Hobey Baker Award for the 2022-2023 season. The award is given annually to the top men’s ice hockey player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Fantilli, who had an impressive debut season, was selected for the award over other exceptional players. He had 20 goals and 28 assists in 26 games played, finishing fourth in the nation in scoring with a total of 48 points. Fantilli’s outstanding performance was recognized not only by the Hobey Baker Award but also earned him recognition as a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, given to the top goaltender in NCAA Division I hockey.
Fantilli, an Oakville, Ontario native, was highly recruited and highly touted coming into his freshman year. He lived up to those expectations and then some, leading the Wolverines in scoring and guiding them to the Frozen Four semifinals. In addition to the Hobey Baker Award, he was also named the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year.
The Hobey Baker Award is named after Hobart Baker, a legendary hockey player who played for Princeton University and died in World War I. The award has been given out since 1981 and has become one of the most prestigious individual awards in college hockey. Fantilli joins a list of esteemed winners, including NHL stars such as Ryan Miller, Jack Eichel, and Johnny Gaudreau.
Michigan’s Fantilli and Sabres’ Levi have made their mark on college hockey, and their outstanding performances have earned them well-deserved recognition. As Hobey Baker Award winner and Mike Richter Award recipient, respectively, they have proven themselves as exceptional players on and off the ice. Congratulations to the talented duo for their remarkable achievements and we look forward to seeing their future success in the world of ice hockey.
