Battalion fans got a chance to watch firsthand the talents behind Adam Fantilli who was part of Team Canada's golden world junior hockey team.
In September of 2021, Battalion GM Adam Dennis acquired the Ontario Hockey League rights to highly regarded centre Adam Fantilli in a trade with the Saginaw Spirit.
The Battalion sent Saginaw, which chose Fantilli in the first round, 18th overall, of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, the Sarnia Sting’s sixth-round pick in the 2022 Priority Selection and four conditional choices, including two second-rounders.
“Adam Fantilli and his family were great to speak to in advance of the draft, and we’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to acquire his rights,” Dennis said after making the 2021 deal.
Fantilli, who suited up for Canada at the 2022 under-18 world championships, has 11 goals and 26 points in just 16 games this season at the University of Michigan as he chose to take the NCAA hockey path instead of staying in Ontario to play in the OHL which is why he slipped to 18th in the OHL priority selection that year. Of note, his brother Luca Fantilli also plays at Michigan.
Sources have told BayToday, that if there was a time for Fantilli - who is expected to be a top-five pick in this 2023 NHL Draft - to leave the NCAA and jump back to major junior hockey, it would be after the World Junior Hockey tournament and just before the approaching OHL trade deadline.
The appeal for a college player to make the jump would be the opportunity to compete in a longer season. For the Battalion, it could be a chance to play well into the spring; possibly win an OHL championship and compete in the spring's Memorial Cup tournament.
Some of those sources have suggested that other OHL teams such as London and Kitchener would be interested in acquiring his rights from the Troops. If North Bay was not an option for Fantilli, then that would give the Troops a massive trade piece at the deadline.
However, Adam Dennis says he has no Fantilli update at this time.
"He is certainly a very exciting player. I wish I had great news that he was coming into North Bay in the next week, but I do not," Dennis told the media during Wednesday's media conference.
"I can tell you we have had conversations with the family, we have been in touch with the agent. He is very well-versed with what we do here in North Bay. I know if it is not coming from me, it's coming from Ty Nelson and Dom DiVincentiis, as they have been in his ear quite a bit but he is having a great year evidenced by him being at the World Juniors and you can read all the things he did over there but I believe they are quite content.
"I think we remain a great option if that should ever change but we are not necessarily bugging him every day, however, if things change for him we will be here."
See related: Battalion trade for generational player
Despite that news from Dennis, the Battalion-Fantilli connection still seems very intriguing which includes relationships with current Battalion players.
Back in 2020, the rumours were swirling that Fantilli, who played for Battalion Assistant GM John Winstanley in minor hockey with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens organization, was going to be taken first overall by the Troops ahead of Ty Nelson, who was their selection.
Sources told BayToday back then, that the Battalion put together an impressive presentation to Fantilli to try and lure him north.
Fantilli was selected by Saginaw after a 2019-20 season with Kimball Union Academy of Meriden, N.H., in which he scored 18 goals and added 18 assists for 36 points in 26 games.
Of course, adding a player of Fantilli's stature would also be a huge draw for the Battalion economically, as the addition of the potential NHL star would likely be a boost to attendance as well.
We shall find out soon. The trade deadline for the Ontario Hockey League is noon on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
