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Former Michigan hockey defenseman Luca Fantilli has signed a one-year, one-way contract with the Charlotte Checkers, the team announced<\/a> Friday. The Checkers are the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, the organization with which one of Fantilli\u2019s former teammates, forward Mackie Samoskevitch, is currently a restricted free agent.<\/p>\n Fantilli was one of the Wolverines\u2019 most steady defenders this year, playing the third-most ice time on the team with 19:32 minutes per game on average. Paired<\/a> with fellow senior defenseman Tyler Duke, the two were critical in shutting down top opposition, including Penn State star Gavin McKenna. The four-year senior also potted four goals for the Wolverines this year, including one in the Big Ten Tournament final against Ohio State, and reached a career-high 17 points.<\/p>\n Fantilli\u2019s significance on this year\u2019s team is indicative of how much he has grown since he arrived on campus freshman year with his younger brother, Hobey Baker winner Adam Fantilli. In his first season, Fantilli played limited minutes and wasn\u2019t often overly impactful.<\/p>\n That trend shifted over his tenure with the team, particularly during his junior season in 2024-25, when Michigan was struggling on both ends of the ice. Paired with Duke, Fantilli played 18 minutes per night and proved himself to be a capable, steady defender. That growth continued into his senior season, where his role only increased. He also managed to add more offense with 13 assists.<\/p>\n