Blue Jackets Adam Fantilli returning home after being bumped from Canada's worlds roster

Brian Hedger, Columbus Dispatch
Dec 8, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (11) celebrates scoring a goal during the first period of the NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at Nationwide Arena.
Dec 8, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (11) celebrates scoring a goal during the first period of the NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at Nationwide Arena.

Adam Fantilli will not compete for Canada at this month's men’s world championship in Czechia.

The Blue Jackets center, whose rookie season was cut short by a calf laceration, is returning to North America along with 2024 NHL draft prospect Macklin Celebrini after Hockey Canada added three veteran forwards Tuesday.

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Brandon Hagel and Nick Paul of the Tampa Bay Lightning plus former Blue Jackets center Pierre-Luc Dubois, who is now with the Los Angeles Kings, are playing for Canada following their exits in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. That pushed Fantilli and Celebrini, the projected first overall pick in this year’s draft, off Canada’s roster to start the tournament.

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 05: Macklin Celebrini #71 of the Boston University Terriers celebrates his goal against the Boston College Eagles during the first period of the semifinals of the Beanpot Tournament at TD Garden on February 5, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776088720 ORIG FILE ID: 1981169956
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 05: Macklin Celebrini #71 of the Boston University Terriers celebrates his goal against the Boston College Eagles during the first period of the semifinals of the Beanpot Tournament at TD Garden on February 5, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776088720 ORIG FILE ID: 1981169956

Rick Nash, Hockey Canada's general manager for the tournament and the Blue Jackets' director of player development, said both were informed about that possibility when they accepted invitations to join Canada's initial roster. Injuries or suspensions could’ve paved a way for one or both to rejoin the active roster, but both opted for a return to North America.

Nash said Fantilli’s decision was not related to his injury, which sidelined him for 10-plus weeks to end his NHL rookie season.

Nov 22, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (11) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on November 22, 2023.
Nov 22, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (11) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on November 22, 2023.

Fantilli and Celebrini won the Hobey Baker Award the past two years as freshmen for Michigan and Boston University, respectively. Fantilli was picked third overall last summer in a loaded draft class and Celebrini is widely expected to go first overall in June to whichever team wins Tuesday’s NHL lottery draw.

Fantilli, 19, finished his rookie season with 12 goals, 15 assists and 27 points in 49 games before sustaining the skate laceration Jan. 28 in Seattle. He’s expected to compete for one of the Blue Jackets’ top two center roles to start next season.

bhedger@dispatch.com

@BrianHedger

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets' Adam Fantilli returning from worlds to train

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