Adam Fantilli able to practice with Columbus Blue Jackets after 'scary' laceration
Adam Fantilli has watched the replay many times.
Curious about a skate laceration that ended his rookie season Jan. 28, the Blue Jackets’ third overall pick from the 2023 NHL draft couldn’t tell how it happened until he saw it in slow motion.
“I’ve watched it 100 times,” Fantili said. “I still can’t really see it. Everybody thought I lost a (skate) blade or something. It was just such a quick play. I felt it right away, and there’s not much you can do. I’ve watched in ‘slo-mo.’ I finally got an angle where I could see the blade going on the back, and it makes sense.”
Even his skate was gashed.
“It was definitely just a weird play, but it happens,” Fantilli said Monday after returning to practice. “It’s part of the game.”
After delivering a check against Seattle's Jared McCann in the second period of the Jackets’ 4-2 loss, Fantilli felt the opposing forward’s left skate slice his left calf.
McCann’s left foot came up off the ice from the impact and came back down forcefully in a bad spot and terrible angle for Fantilli, who immediately recoiled.
It was a scary situation, but could’ve been worse.
“I had three layers (of socks) on,” Fantilli said. “Our game socks have two layers of Kevlar in the back, and I had the socks on, and who knows, maybe it would’ve been a lot worse had I not been wearing them. You don’t really know, but I’m glad I was wearing them. I’m happy it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been.”
It was still bad.
Fantilli was unable to return during the initial eight-week recovery window he was given and couldn’t practice until Monday at Nationwide Arena, a day before the season finale against the Carolina Hurricanes. His season is over, after holding out hope until about a week ago.
That's why skating in practice put a smile on his face despite an orange “no contact” jersey covering his shoulder pads.
“I was having a blast out there,” Fantilli said. “It’s just good to be back out (skating) with the guys. I missed them a lot. They just got back from a road trip, so it was good to see them.”
Likewise for them.
“We had a practice based on pace, and he’s just going,” Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent said. “We were hoping to see him in some games. That was the plan, and it just didn’t go as quick as expected. But it was good to have him on the ice today.”
It was an encouraging stride in the right direction.
“I’ve never been cut that deep before, so my mind went to the worst case scenario (initially),” Fantilli said. “I was like, ‘Oh, like, my whole Achilles is gone.’ My foot wasn't working properly, and when I stepped back down (on the ice), I didn't feel any bounce off my heel. It felt ‘mushy’ and stuff. It was kind of gross, and I started freaking out. Then the doctor came in and said, ‘No, the Achilles tendon’s fine,’ so that was a big relief.”
Receiving news he’d be out at least two months wasn’t.
Fantilli is viewing his rookie season as a success until his injury luck ran out. Fantilli didn’t miss a game prior to the injury and finished with impressive numbers for a 19-year old center. He scored 12 goals, added 15 assists and totaled 27 points in 49 games, tying him for fifth on the team in goals and placing him 11th in points.
Fantilli also got valuable experience while centering top lines and playing with the Jackets’ top six forwards.
“Obviously, I hit ups and downs,” he said. “I mean, I was starting to hit my stride up until that January point ... but being away from the guys was the toughest part. I mean, I just love being around the guys a lot. ... so, I'm gonna look back at it fondly. I mean, I had a lot of fun and I thought I learned quite a bit.”
He also learned a lesson just from watching the play that ended his season. He'll continue wearing protective gear on his legs, and is strongly considering neck protection.
Boone Jenner returns to practice for Columbus Blue Jackets
Boone Jenner was another welcome sight at the Jackets’ final practice, returning for the first time since he and his wife, Maggie, announced earlier this month they were grieving the death of their first child, Dawson, who was stillborn.
It was crushing news for the Jenner family, his teammates and the Blue Jackets' organization. Vincent isn’t sure if Jenner will play Tuesday, but his presence Monday at practice lifted spirits.
“Just to have him around, it’s good to have him back as a person and as a player on the ice ... but mainly as a person, as a teammate,” Vincent said. “The man I work with, the partnership that we have, to see him back and see him smile, it’s bigger and beyond hockey.”
Columbus Blue Jackets' Adam Fantilli aiming for full recovery by May world championship
Fantilli said his leg is free of pain, but he’s still walking with a slight limp. That’s the result of wearing a walking boot a long period. Asked if he felt that competing for Canada at next month’s world championship is possible, Fantilli said his goal is to be ready if invited.
Last year, he helped Canada win gold at worlds. This year, Hockey Canada’s general manager is Rick Nash, the Blue Jackets’ director of player development. There's a solid chance Fantilli will draw another invitation, if healthy.
“It's not out of the question,” Fantilli said. “That’s something I'm working toward right now. It's always an honor to wear (Canada’s) maple leaf and play for your country, especially going overseas to do so. If that opportunity comes around, I'd love to, but it's just a matter of getting healthy right now.”
Zach Werenski and Johnny Gaudreau are both committed to play for the U.S. contingent in Czechia. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins, who practiced Monday after missing five games with a lower-body injury, will play for Latvia if healed.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Adam Fantilli practices with Columbus Blue Jackets after laceration
