Obviously, there is a lot to like in this pick. In fact, we called this in the SB Nation Mock Draft. But at keep in mind that this player is indeed the 17th overall pick for a reason. He’s a project, but that’s not a bad thing on a team that has a window to win like the Predators have.
For starters, here’s what we know about the newest Nashville Predator: he likes the idea of playing in Nashville (from Yahoo):
2. Do you look up to a defenceman in the NHL?
“Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators. He’s a physical defenceman who can jump up into the rush and has a good shot. I try to implement parts of his game into mine and model some parts of my game after his.”3. Who is your favourite NHL team?
“Nashville. My sisters go to school just 20 minutes north of Nashville, and also because I like Weber and guys like Roman Josi.”
And our resident prospect profiler had this to say:
- Position: Defense
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6’0.5″ (via NHL Combine)
- Weight: 192 lbs (via NHL Combine)
- Team: Penticton Vees (BCHL)
- Hometown: New Westminster, BC, Canada
- Birth Year: June 20, 1998
Dante Fabbro is Good in All Areas.
Dante Fabbro opened up eyes this season. In order to remain eligible for NCAA play at Boston University, Fabbro remained in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees for one more season along with fellow future 2016 first round pick, center Tyson Jost. While playing in a lesser league than the WHL might be questioned by some as a developmental move, Fabbro made the most of it and the decision does not seem to have made a huge difference either way. Fabbro was named the BCHL defenseman of the year and then turned around and was named one of Canada’s top three players in the U-18 Ivan Hlinka Tournament.
More to some in the following days, but as a knee-jerk reaction… how do you feel about this choice?