One of the most highly sought after blue-line prospects has decided on his collegiate future. Penticton Vees defenseman Dante Fabbro (98) has committed to Boston University for the 2016-17 season, the team announced Tuesday.
President, General Manager & Head Coach Fred Harbinson says Fabbro is rare talent that everyone coveted, “Dante was afforded the opportunity to choose among some of the best programs in the country; in the end BU is getting an elite player but more importantly an elite person.”
Fabbro, who’s currently ranked 8th overall for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by International Scouting Services, is currently third in team scoring with five goals and 16 points in 11 games. He’s the highest-scoring defenseman in the BCHL and is riding an eight-game point streak. Fabbro is coming off a two-goal performance on Saturday in the Vees 5-1 win, helping his team to their 10th straight win.
Prior to the start of the BCHL season, Fabbro won a gold medal this summer with Team Canada and teammate Tyson Jost at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in the Czech Republic. In his rookie season, the Coquitlam, BC, native had 33 points in 44 games and those numbers earned him a spot on the BCHL All-Rookie team. He excelled in the playoffs too as he was the team’s highest-scoring defenseman en route to their Fred Page Cup championship, finishing with 15 points in 21 games. He shined at the RBC Cup as well, as he was named the tournament’s Top Defenseman, despite being the youngest blue-liner at the tournament.
Fabbro also played international hockey last year, suiting up for Canada at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sarnia Ontario.
Boston University is one of the more decorated programs in NCAA men’s Division l Hockey. The Terriers play in the Hockey East Conference and have won the National Championship five times, made it to 22 Frozen Fours, played in the NCAA tournament 33 times and have won 8 Hockey East championships. The Terriers were National Championship Finalists last year, losing out to Providence College in the Championship game. 11 former Terriers made opening night NHL rosters this year, including last year’s second overall pick, Jack Eichel.
Fabbro is the 10th player on the Vees roster to secure an NCAA Division l scholarship. He’ll look to help the Vees defend their BCHL Fred Page Cup championship this year before heading off to Boston next fall.
