Coquitlam native Dante Fabbro has been named B.C. Minor Hockey Player of the Year by Hockey Now magazine.
The award is open to 2013 bantam-draft eligible players who are B.C. Hockey League members and enrolled at an educational facility.
Judging is based on hockey ability, sportsmanship, academic achievement and community involvement. A selection team of Western Hockey League and B.C. Hockey scouts makes the call.
Fabbro captained the Burnaby Winter Club Bantam AAA team, and was selected eighth overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds in this year's WHL Bantam Draft. His Burnaby Winter Club coach had nothing but praise for the 15-year-old defenceman when he heard news of the award.
"I thought [Hockey Now] made the right decision, to be quite honest," John Batchelor told the Tri-City News. "[Dante] plays well at both ends of the ice. He understand the game at a high level."
Batchelor said Fabbro is set to join the ranks of his Burnaby Winter Club predecessor, Edmonton Oilers' forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and other hockey prodigies, in playing in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and the National Hockey League early at age 19.
In terms of Fabbro being a well-rounded individual, Batchelor said he is a solid citizen who doesn't have a ego.
Fabbro will be presented his award on July 26 at the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
