Columbus finally has their top center

June 28^th, 2023, will go down as one the greatest moments in Columbus Blue Jackets history.

At a packed draft watch party in Columbus, fans were anxious. People started filling up the venue at 2pm on Wednesday, a venue that had originally said they weren’t opening until 4pm. But so many fans said they were showing up early to stand in line, they decided to open early.

As the hours crept by, fans grew more and more restless, begging for the draft to start. One fan said to me “I wish Anaheim would just make their pick now, so the CBJ can pick. The Hawks and Ducks know they’re taking Bedard and Fantilli anyway, just start the draft at pick 3. Get it over with, I’m nervous”.

And that fan was right, we all knew that Bedard and Fantilli were going 1^st and 2^nd, until they didn’t.

But would Anaheim really pass up on Fantilli and pick Leo Carlsson? The rumors this week from insiders on social media were growing louder and louder, but there was no reason for the Ducks to use a smoke screen unless they were taking offers on the second pick, which who knows if they really were. I guess no one would know until they made their pick.

At that packed watch party, fans were buzzing when the Ducks were walking to the podium. That walk from their table to the stage seemed to take forever. Then the Ducks front office were taking forever with their speech ahead of saying the player’s name. And then it happened “With our first selection, we are proud to select from Orebro, SHL, Leo Carlsson” said Ducks GM Pat Verbeek. PINS Mechanical in Columbus, where the watch party was being held, erupted. Columbus fans were shocked. Inside Bridgestone Arena, the crowd seemed a bit surprised as well. 

But was that enough to guarantee Adam Fantilli? We all know the CBJ like to shock people at the draft. Would they go with Center Will Smith? Or Matvei Michkov? We got an answer. After the Blue Jackets filed to the stage, President of Hockey Ops John Davidson thanked who he needed to thank, said hello to the watch party back in Columbus, which drew a massive reaction, and then passed the mic to GM Jarmo Kekalainen. “Columbus Blue Jackets are proud to select, from the University of Michigan, Adam Fantilli”. Pandemonium ensued in Columbus. Fans were jumping, screaming, and yelling CBJ chants.

Columbus fans finally had something go right in their eyes. In a season that saw so many players hurt, and so many losses, fans continued to fill Nationwide Arena. Fans continued to support the team and cheered the players that were able to play. The fans of Columbus deserved something positive to happen, and it finally did.

The Columbus Blue Jackets seemingly have the #1 center they've coveted for 23 years. And it seemed to be a mutual attraction. The NHL posted a video after the draft of Fantilli back in May, where he stated he wanted to go to Columbus and play. “Because of the UM alumni and guys to learn from” he says. Everything about this pick has the city buzzing.

Now we wait for his announcement telling us whether he is going back to Michigan, or going pro. I think most people in the hockey world think he’ll turn pro, but until that time, CBJ fans will go back to being nervous about it. Relax Columbus fans, Adam Fantilli is a Blue Jacket and will be wearing the Union Blue soon enough.