'Go live your dream out': Adam Fantilli gets birthday wishes ahead of Blue Jackets debut

Adam Fantilli is seemingly set for a memorable 19th birthday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets center will make his NHL debut against the Philadelphia Flyers on his birthday Thursday after being the No. 3 overall pick of the 2023 draft.

And to celebrate, the Blue Jackets released a video of those closest to Fantilli relaying best wishes ahead of the 2023-24 season opener.

"There's no one more proud in the entire world than me," Luca Fantilli, Adam's brother, said. "I never thought this day would come when we were playing mini sticks and screwing around in the basement. But here you are, stepping onto the big stage, representing our name on the back of your jersey with an incredible organization on the front. It's what you're meant to do, buddy, so go live your dream out and go kill it."

Giuliano Fantilli, Adam's father, remembered his son's goal was always to make an NHL roster when he was 18 years old, something he achieved when he was drafted by the Blue Jackets after one season at Michigan, where he won the Hobey Baker Award as the best men's NCAA ice hockey player with 65 points — 30 goals and 35 assists — in 36 games.

"On Thursday night, when your skate blade touches the ice, nobody is ever going to be able to take that away from you that you played in the NHL," Giuliano Fantilli said. "You've earned it and you got it."

In July, Adam Fantilli signed a three-year, entry-level contract with a base salary of $950,000 each season with a $95,000 annual signing bonus and the ability to earn up to $2.2 million in performance bonuses each season.

Fantilli will make his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena Thursday against the Flyers. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Adam Fantilli gets birthday wishes ahead of Columbus Blue Jackets debut