Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli will most likely be the number one and two picks of the 2023 Draft. While Bedard has completely dominated the WHL, Fantilly has done the same down in the NCAA. When the two met for the World Juniors, Bedard showed his clear dominance over Fantilli and the debate has been sealed ever since.
However, Bedard rendered quite the surprising decision when he announced that only would he not take part in the U18 World Championships, but that he had turned down the unique opportunity to take part in the Men's World Championship, a rare occurrence for undrafted prospects.
Adam Fantilli, whose season with Michigan University has also ended, did not turn down the invitation as confirmed by the insider and radio show host Jeff Marek:
Adam Fantilli is coming off an exceptional season as he collected an impressive 65 points in 36 games in his freshman (first-year player) season. He led his team to a frozen-four participation where they lost in the semi-finals and he won the Hobey-Baker Award given annually to the NCAA's top player.