Latest news with #Fantilli
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Adam Fantilli & Kent Johnson Asked About Elvis Merzlikins
One of the interesting things about covering the IIHF World Championships as a journalist is the media presence from the different participating countries. As a nation that is crazy about hockey, Latvia always sends a significant number of journalists to cover the tournament and, like a lot of Latvians, were disappointed when Elvis Merzlikins announced that he wouldn't be representing his country this year. However, that didn't stop them from asking Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli, Merzlikins' Columbus Blue Jackets teammates, about the popular goaltender. Two themes that came out in both of their answers were his personality and his generosity. 'He's a lot of fun to be around,' said 20-year-old Fantilli, who's been a teammates of Merzlikins for two years now. 'He's got a big personality and it's a pleasure to be around him in the locker room.' 'I have a good relationship with Elvis – he's a good dude and a good goalie too,' said 22-year-old Johnson, who has now been a teammate of Merzlikins for more than three seasons. 'He won us a lot of games this year. That was huge and I'm looking forward to the same thing next year.' 'He's been our starter for quite a few years now and he's stolen quite a few games for us,' said Fantilli. 'This year he was phenomenal in shootouts. I don't know exactly what his record was but it was pretty good. When you have him back there, you have a little bit of confidence and you can play a little bit harder offensively.' 'We have a lot of fun away from the rink, the whole team,' said Fantilli. 'The rookie party was a blast, a lot of team dinners are awesome. At the rink, I just love his personality and how much he celebrates shootout wins.' It was mentioned how Merzlikins sometimes buys dinners after the Latvian national team comes up with a big win, and Fantilli confirmed he also does that sometimes in Columbus. No Merzlikins, Silovs, Or Any NHLers For Latvia, But Daugavins Returns The Latvian national team will not have Elvis Merzļikins or Artūrs Šilovs in goal at this year's IIHF World Championship – the Columbus Blue Jackets goalie cited family reasons last month and the Vancouver Canucks prospect is still involved in the AHL playoffs. But the small nation of less than two million seems to have no trouble producing goalies and Latvia will give the net to 32-year-old Kristers Gudlevskis, the two-time top goalie of Germany's DEL. 'Sometimes he throws a team dinner up on the board and if we win,' he said. 'I know he did it this year in Toronto (pictured) and he's done it in past years too.' Both players were disappointed but understanding when they heard Merzlikins wouldn't be going to Stockholm. 'I was hoping when we'd play Latvia that he'd be in the net. It would be fun to score on him and make some jokes about it after,' Johnson laughed. 'But no, I hope he's enjoying his time off and he'll be ready for camp.' 'Just before I left Columbus, he told me he wasn't going to be playing,' said Fantilli. 'I knew Canada and Latvia were in the same group so it would've been fun to play against him, but I knew he'd just had a baby, so family comes first.' Predicting Latvia's 2026 Olympic roster When they beat France 5-2 on home ice on Sunday, the Latvians qualified for the men's ice hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics for the fifth time out of the last six possibilities. Only once, in 2014 in Sochi, did Latvia reach the quarterfinals.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canada's Adam Fantilli Sets Sights On The Olympics: 'Maybe Not Next Year But Five Years From Now'
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - Adam Fantilli's goals for international hockey go far beyond just the 2025 IIHF men's World Championship. Fantilli took a big step in his sophomore season as he became a 30-goal scorer for the first time in his NHL career and helped the Columbus Blue Jackets resurge from the bottom of the league to nearly making the playoffs. The 20-year-old seems to be just as good as advertised, and he now looks to take another step in his career by playing for Team Canada at the World Championship. Given the talent that comes out of Canada, making the 2026 Canadian Olympic team may be a challenge for Fantilli, but he has his sights set on playing at the Winter Games one day. He views the World Championship as a stepping stone for his overall future with the Canadian national team. 'Every time I get a chance, I want to be able to represent my country,' Fantilli said Tuesday. 'It's something I take a lot of pride in. With the Olympics coming up, obviously that's something I want to be a part of, maybe not next year but five years from now. That's been a goal of mine for a long time. I grew up watching guys play in these tournaments, so I want to be one of those guys at some point, too.' While the center anticipated enjoying this tournament in Stockholm, Sweden, there was one thing that surprised him – and everybody, for that matter. Some of Canada's best and most legendary players came to play at the World Championship, such as Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury's Last Dance Begins With A Masterclass In Net For Canada At World Championship At 40 years old, Marc-André Fleury still knows how to put on a show. Being a part of this star-studded roster has been a worthwhile learning experience for Fantilli, who also gets to play with his hockey idol, MacKinnon. 'When I came over here, I wasn't expecting the roster that we have right now,' Fantilli said. 'A lot of those guys are leaders on their team and leaders among the top point-getters in the NHL. It's great to learn from those guys. 'Nate (MacKinnon) is a guy that I grew up wanting to be like and wanting to emulate. Sid (Crosby) is a player who every young Canadian loves, so it's really cool to have both those guys on the same team.' Austria-Slovakia Shootout Ends in Controversy Austria and Slovakia were tied 2-2 after 65 minutes of hockey, meaning their IIHF World Championship Group A game had to be decided in a shootout. There is a new generation of young and hungry Canadian hockey players who are ready to take on the torch of representing Canada on an international stage. Fantilli is one of the players at the top of that list, and he's joined in Sweden by a couple of others, including NHLers Macklin Celebrini and Kent Johnson. 'We're all learning together. We're on the same team right now, which is great,' Fantilli said. 'It's made for a pretty good team on the ice, too, and it's awesome.' Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Canada's rising star Adam Fantilli ready to make his mark at the 2025 IIHF World Championship
Fantilli steps into 2025 World Championship with Team Canada (Image via: Getty Images) In the world of international hockey, few players carry the weight of national pride as heavily as Adam Fantilli does. After a breakout sophomore season in the NHL, where he scored 30 goals and propelled the Columbus Blue Jackets back into playoff contention, Fantilli's journey is far from over. His next goal is to represent Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Championship , but with a bigger prize in his sights — an Olympic appearance at the 2026 Winter Games. Adam Fantilli's road to Olympics begins at the 2025 IIHF World Championship At just 20 years old, Fantilli is already a force to be reckoned with in the NHL. But for him, individual accolades aren't enough. The real challenge lies ahead: securing a spot on Team Canada for future international tournaments, with the Olympics being the ultimate goal. His performance at the World Championship in Stockholm will be a critical moment in his young career, one that could set the tone for his future on the world stage. Fantilli is no stranger to high expectations. As one of the top prospects in Canadian hockey, he's always been driven by the vision of representing his country. However, as the competition for a spot on the Olympic roster intensifies, Fantilli's eyes are on the bigger picture. 'With the Olympics coming up, obviously that's something I want to be a part of, maybe not next year but five years from now,' Fantilli shared. Fantilli's chance to prove himself at the 2025 World Championship While the road to the Olympics may be filled with challenges, the World Championship provides a perfect opportunity for Fantilli to prove himself on an international stage. This year, he is joined by some of Canada's most legendary hockey icons, including Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Marc-Andre Fleury. The presence of these elite players is not just an honor but a learning opportunity for Fantilli, who admits that being part of such a star-studded roster came as a surprise. 'Nate (MacKinnon) is a guy that I grew up wanting to be like and wanting to emulate. Sid (Crosby) is a player who every young Canadian loves, so it's really cool to have both those guys on the same team,' Fantilli added. Also Read: Capitals' playoff hopes dim as Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson struggle But Fantilli isn't alone in his pursuit of international glory. He is part of a new wave of talented young Canadian players, including Macklin Celebrini and Kent Johnson, all of whom are ready to carry the torch for Canada's future in hockey. The 2025 World Championship is more than just a tournament, it's the first step toward what could be a legendary international career, with Fantilli at the forefront of Canada's next generation of hockey greatness.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Adam Fantilli Practices On Same Line With Legend At Worlds
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Dean Evason knows what he has with Adam Fantilli, and getting him experience will only make him better. So why not play him with a current all-time great player? Sports Writer Ville Touru posted today that CBJ young star Adam Fantilli has practiced on the wing with Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby. On Fantilli's opposite wing is Macklin Celebrini, the San Jose Sharks star who just completed his rookie season and is a Calder Trophy Finalist. Advertisement Can Sidney Crosby keep up with these two young stars? That's a joke, of course he can. Adam Fantilli might not be playing center for Team Canada, but playing with a future Hall-of-Famer and learning from him could help him for years to come. Fantilli is coming off a season that saw him tie Kirill Marchenko for the most goals on the team, while having anything but a sophomore slump. Fantilli's teammate, Kent Johnson, practiced on the third line, centered by Ryan O'Reilly as well. Seems like Dean Evason might be setting up his young stars for future success by putting them around Hall of Famers or superstars. Advertisement Ulterior Motives? Possibly. Let us know what you think below. Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story. Brother Of Blue Jackets' Mateychuk Drafted By WHL's Vancouver Giants Brother Of Blue Jackets' Mateychuk Drafted By WHL's Vancouver Giants Columbus Blue Jackets' Denton Mateychuk's brother Crosby Mateychuk has been drafted into the Western Hockey League (WHL) by the Vancouver Giants. Former Cleveland Monster Goalie Has The Edmonton Oilers On Fire Former Cleveland Monster Goalie Has The Edmonton Oilers On Fire Former Cleveland Monsters goalie Calvin Pickard is "The Hot Goalie" right now and has the Advertisement Edmonton Oilers rolling. 2025 Columbus Blue Jackets Potential Free Agent Targets: Dante Fabbro 2025 Columbus Blue Jackets Potential Free Agent Targets: Dante Fabbro This summer, Spencer Lazary and I will continue our series with more potential free agent targets that could be on the market on July 1st.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Two Blue Jackets Stars Chosen To Represent Team Canada In IIHF World Championships Per Report
Columbus Blue Jackets forwards Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson have been chosen to represent Canada in the upcoming IIHF World Championship's according to Aaron Portzline. He also says that Jackets assistant coach Steve McCarthy will join Evason's staff. Just last week, the CBJ's Head Coach Dean Evason was picked to be the bench boss for Canada, leading many to believe that Fantilli and Johnson would be picked to play for Canada as well. Report: Dean Evason Chosen To Coach Team Canada Darren Dreger has said today that Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Dean Evason will be chosen to coach Team Canada at the Men's World Hockey Championships in Sweden and Denmark next month. Evason's Blue Jackets team just barely missed the playoffs last week. Fantilli and Johnson both set career highs in goals, assists, and points. Fantilli led the Jackets with 31 goals, and Johnson finished second on the team with 24 goals. Fantilli was an extra player for Canada last season for the IIHF Worlds, but was sent home when they got some guys back with more experience. Congrats to Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson for being chosen to represent Team Canada. Let us know what you think below. Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story. Will 2025-26 Be Yegor Chinakhov's Final Season In Columbus? On June 21, 2024, new GM Don Waddell took care of a piece of business that many considered vital. Almost a year later, people wonder if that business will ever pan out. Jet Greaves Stays Perfect Against The Toronto Marlies It took 19 minutes and 5 seconds into the second OT, but the Cleveland Monsters defeated the Toronto Marlies and will move on to play the Pascal Vincent-led Laval Rocket in the next round of the AHL Playoffs. Former Blue Jacket Josh Anderson & Tom Wilson Clash In Canadiens' Bench Last night in the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals game, there was a very interesting moment. A moment that was both intense and hilarious at the same time.
