Just one year removed from making two headline (controversial?) signings on this day, the Jackets make one that is not really up for debate. Fantilli was rumored to be on the fence about making the move to professional hockey – but his decision seemed to be made the moment the Jackets made this pick on Wednesday night. He’s turning pro.
Now that he’s under contract with the Jackets, his NCAA career is officially over after just one season at the University of Michigan. It was a spectacular one for Fantilli – scoring 30 goals and 65 points in just 36 games, en route to a Hobey Baker award as the best player in college hockey.