Robby Fabbri isn’t waiting long to make his professional debut. After participating in his first Chicago Wolves practice on Thursday morning, the 19-year-old center learned from head coach John Anderson that he’s likely to play in all three of the team’s games this weekend.
That includes tonight’s game at Rockford, which means it will have been just 72 hours from his final game for the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm to his first game with the Wolves.
Look for him to center a scoring line that features two strong veterans on the wings, which makes sense because he averaged 1.71 points per game (25 goals, 26 assists in 30 games) during the regular season for Guelph.
“It’s just an exciting experience being here and being part of the team,” Fabbri said.
The 5-foot-10, 178-pound Fabbri was the last player off the ice on Thursday. Not just so he could fulfill a rookie’s unofficial duties – picking up the pucks and putting them in the bucket – but so he could do some extra drills and pick up some tips from assistant coach Brad Tapper.
All three Wolves coaches worked with Fabbri at the Traverse City prospects camp in September, so they have a good idea of what he can do.
“I thought he was the best player in the tournament,” said head coach John Anderson. “Junior hockey isn’t far off from (the AHL). The pace will be a little faster and the guys will be a little bigger and stronger, but he should be all right.”
When asked what Fabbri did well at Traverse City, Anderson couldn’t stifle a chuckle.
“Scoring goals,” he said.
Fabbri wasn’t quite so direct.
“I like to use my speed and my skill,” he said. “I’m not the biggest guy, but I’m working hard and being gritty. I make sure I’m not a liability in the defensive zone.”
That includes tonight’s game at Rockford, which means it will have been just 72 hours from his final game for the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm to his first game with the Wolves.
Look for him to center a scoring line that features two strong veterans on the wings, which makes sense because he averaged 1.71 points per game (25 goals, 26 assists in 30 games) during the regular season for Guelph.
“It’s just an exciting experience being here and being part of the team,” Fabbri said.
The 5-foot-10, 178-pound Fabbri was the last player off the ice on Thursday. Not just so he could fulfill a rookie’s unofficial duties – picking up the pucks and putting them in the bucket – but so he could do some extra drills and pick up some tips from assistant coach Brad Tapper.
All three Wolves coaches worked with Fabbri at the Traverse City prospects camp in September, so they have a good idea of what he can do.
“I thought he was the best player in the tournament,” said head coach John Anderson. “Junior hockey isn’t far off from (the AHL). The pace will be a little faster and the guys will be a little bigger and stronger, but he should be all right.”
When asked what Fabbri did well at Traverse City, Anderson couldn’t stifle a chuckle.
“Scoring goals,” he said.
Fabbri wasn’t quite so direct.
“I like to use my speed and my skill,” he said. “I’m not the biggest guy, but I’m working hard and being gritty. I make sure I’m not a liability in the defensive zone.”
