Canada's rising star Adam Fantilli ready to make his mark at the 2025 IIHF World Championship

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.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. 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 struggleBut 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.