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For the Love of the Game: A Michigan Hockey Story Rooted in Brotherhood, Resilience, and Unwritten Dreams
- Holly Arend
- Jun 30
- 7 min read
by Holly Arend
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Before the speeches in the tunnel and the lights at Yost, before the team rallies around him before every puck drop, Luca Fantilli was just a kid playing hockey with his brother in their backyard in Nobleton, Ontario.
It started with early mornings. Luca and Adam would get dressed at home, hop in the car with their dad, and drive one minute to the rink for 7 a.m. skates with their skills coach, Dave Damizio. But the most important ice wasn’t inside an arena. It was behind their house, where their dad built a backyard rink every winter.
“I remember getting dressed with Adam at home and driving to the rink with our dad,” Fantilli said. “It was that close to our house. Playing outdoor hockey with my brother on a rink my dad made in our backyard. That’s where it started.”
Years later, the dream that started in that backyard has taken him across North America and into the heart of one of college hockey’s most iconic programs. But it hasn’t been easy.
There was the move from AAA to AA during a crucial development year. At the time, it felt like a setback. Now, he sees it differently.
“It changed my game completely,” Fantilli said. “It made me fall in love with the game of hockey again. I got to play with my friends and just enjoy the game for what it was. Not for who I was trying to impress or make happy. It also helped me gain confidence in myself.”
Then came the OHL Draft. Fifteen rounds went by without his name being called.
“I wanted to be drafted. I’ll never forget watching and waiting to be picked,” he said.
The following year, everything flipped. While sitting at a restaurant with his family, his name was finally called in the first round by Niagara.
“My brother was the first one to see it,” Fantilli said. “I remember shedding some tears and receiving hugs from my family. Getting calls from all the people who helped me get there over the years. That gave me all the confidence in the world. I just felt way better on the ice after that. It shifted my game completely.”
Luca eventually chose the NCAA route, attending Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire before joining the Chicago Steel in the USHL. In Chicago, his confidence grew. So did his leadership. He captained the team in his second season and helped bring Adam in as a teammate.
“Honestly, it was the coolest thing ever,” he said. “Just dreaming of playing together growing up, and it finally coming true was insane. It helped my game so much because Adam treated himself like a pro his whole career. I learned a lot from him on how to take care of my body and how to act like a pro. Honestly, I kind of idolized him and looked up to him even though he was my little brother. We also had an amazing connection on the ice because of all the practice we had together over the years. Those will be the best years of my life, the years I got to play with Adam. I’ll cherish them forever.”
The brothers won a Clark Cup championship together in Chicago.
“There are so many talented players,” Fantilli said. “Every night, you're going aga
inst the best talent in the States. It's also grueling playing three games in three days, some weekends, but you get super close with the guys on your team, and it makes those games fun. I'm still best friends with some of the guys I played with in Chicago. Especially winning a championship, that's something I'll never forget. Even lifting that trophy with my brother was a great experience.”
College hockey was always the dream. It became real when Michigan called.
“I remember going to a Michigan game with my family to watch Quinn Hughes and seeing that atmosphere at Yost,” he said. “It was like a game I've never seen before. The passion, the band, the blue and maize. I just fell in love with it and remember telling my parents that if I ever got the chance to play here, my dreams would be fulfilled.”
That year, he got a Michigan jersey for Christmas. It had his name and number on the back.
“I thought it was so cool and that to wear that jersey in real life would probably never come true,” he said. “When I finally got the opportunity to talk to Michigan and they offered, I never looked back.”
The first time he stepped on the ice at Yost, he tried to play it cool.
“I was trying to act natural and act like it wasn't a big deal, but in my head, it was,” he said. “Being on that ice, seeing how big the crowd and the Children of Yost were, I couldn't believe it. I remember saying to myself, ‘Wow, I'm here.’ After that, it was like every other hockey game. I just had more motivation playing in front of that crowd, my family, wearing the maize and blue. I was playing for something bigger. And it was Michigan.”
Since then, Fantilli has become a core part of the Wolverines. He delivers the team’s pregame speeches and is known for his leadership even without wearing a letter. His presence, on and off the ice, has become one of the team’s constants.
“I feel like I've grown the most as a man,” he said. “I came into Michigan as a boy, and now I'm a man. I learned how to take care of myself on and off the ice and treat my body the right way. Taking care of school and things like that so that I could focus on hockey.”
The mental side of the game has also become a major part of his development.
“I realized how important mental strength was when I started playing junior hockey,” Fantilli said. Playing extremely talented guys, it’s tough to crack the lineup every night. Especially my first year of junior in Chicago. We won the Clark Cup championship with a bunch of very talented players. You have to learn how to handle being scratched or not playing a lot, and overcome that and learn how to earn your spot and respect on the team.”
Working with mental performance coach Dr. Beth McCharles helped him find balance.
“I don’t only speak to Beth as a hockey player,” he said. “I talk to her about my life, too. Creating habits off the ice and balancing hockey with your outside life is extremely important to me. Even the lessons she teaches me about hockey, I also use in life.”
Fantilli has also made an impact outside the locker room through Movember. After realizing he had a growing platform, he decided to use it to raise awareness for men’s mental health.
“I’ve had family and friends who have struggled with mental health, especially in the hockey world,” he said. “And I just wanted to try and use my social media to express that and try to be a part of something like that.”
The team supported him from day one.
“They’ve been extremely helpful,” Fantilli said. “From our social media team making a video where I could share on social media, to our staff at Michigan helping promote it, and contributing to helping me find ways to move further with Movember. My teammates have also been a huge help with growing mustaches and donating.”
Fantilli has had his share of unforgettable moments at Michigan, from Adam’s first goal at Yost to comeback wins that shook the roof.
“If I had to pick one, it would be Luke Hughes' four-goal game when we came back to sweep Penn State,” he said. “I don't think I've heard an arena louder and an atmosphere that crazy. I thought the roof of Yost was going to fall.”
He’s taken his fair share of chirps, too.
“The one I get all the time is ‘You're only here because of your brother,’” he said. “But I wouldn’t say it’s the best chirp because everyone uses it, and it’s just not true. He came to every team I was either drafted to or committed to before he was even considering taking that path. I mean it’s a good chirp and I could see why guys use it, but I just try and use it as motivation.”
Music plays a big role in his game-day routine. Right now, it’s “Delilah” by Fred Again. He also has a few go-to tracks that represent different phases of his journey.
“I love the song ‘Best Day Ever’ by Mac Miller,” he said. “I just think he talks about enjoying life and the moments in between, and that’s what I’ve tried to do my whole hockey career — enjoy what I was doing and smile through everything.”
He adds “Roots” by The Reklaws and “Hey Brother” by Avicii to the list.
“They explain the hockey life and remind me where I came from,” he said. “Adam’s been the biggest part of my career. He’s my best friend.”
As graduation nears, Fantilli’s goals are clear. Win. Keep building Movember. Be a leader for the next generation.
“I want to have a great year next year when it comes to hockey and continue to play afterwards,” he said. “But I also want to leave Michigan a better place than I found it.”
What has the university given him in return?
“Everything,” Fantilli said. “The hockey, the school, the brothers you make for life, the experience of being a student at Michigan. You learn so much here, like playing for something bigger than yourself. It’s all about the team here. That’s instilled in you from the second you walk on campus.”
And what will he carry with him forever?
“To whom much is given, much is expected,” he said. “That’s Michigan.”
Disclaimer: The thoughts, experiences, and opinions shared in this article are solely those of Luca Fantilli and are based on his personal journey. They do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations, sponsors, or institutions with which Luca may be associated with. To ensure accuracy and maintain context, Luca Fantilli reviewed this article before publication. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this material is strictly prohibited. For any inquiries or concerns regarding this article, please contact info@hazzemedia.com
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