North York Rangers defenceman Dante Fantauzzi has committed to the NCAA D1 University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves starting in the 2019-2020 season on a full ride scholarship.
The now 18-year-old truly believes Alaska-Anchorage is the perfect place for him on the ice and in the classroom.
“I picked UAA because it was a great fit for me as a hockey player, and as a person. It gives me the opportunity to step in the lineup next year under a new coaching staff and play big minutes,” Fantauzzi said. “The coaching staff did a fantastic job welcoming me and my family during the recruiting process and really sold their program. It gives me the opportunity to strive for an MBA while I play hockey there which was huge on the education aspect, and finally on my official visit it really felt like home, I fell in love with the facilities, the people of Anchorage, and everything the school had to offer.”
The Woodbridge, Ont., native joined the Rangers on a full time basis last season. He started the season as the seventh defenceman, but slowly played himself into the lineup. It got to a point near the end of the season that Head Coach Geoff Schomogyi dressed one less forward in order to get Fantauzzi and a total of seven defencemen in the lineup.
In his second season with the Rangers, the 6-1 defenceman has already set a career-high in points with 11 points, in 26 fewer games. No one could be more excited about Dante’s commitment than his head coach.
“We are very excited for Dante and his commitment to Alaska-Anchorage,” said North York Head Coach Geoff Schomogyi. “Dante was off to a great start for us this season, before getting injured. Dante brings great vision and hockey sense to our back end. He has really taken the next step for us in NYR this year and we are extremely proud and excited for Dante!”
