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Predators draft Dante Fabbro 17th overall

Jen Fuller / National Hockey League / Getty

The Nashville Predators selected defenseman Dante Fabbro with the 17th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft on Friday.

Dante Fabbro

Position: Defense
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 18
Club: Penticton Vees (BCHL)
Nationality: Canadian

GP G A P
45 14 53 67

Fabbro is a consistent, three-zone defender who excels in a spatial capacity. He's not the biggest defenseman, nor is he considered the best skater in his class, but he's cool under pressure and able to make the other nine skaters perform at his pace.

He has an above-average shot and can orchestrate the man-advantage, but his greatest puck skills are sharp outlet passes and the ability to send his teammates away with accurate transition feeds.

His skills translated well to international competition last summer. He racked up eight assists in seven games, and was named one of Canada's top three players on its way to gold at the 2015 IIHF U18 World Championship.

Fabbro shared both a locker room and billet home in Penticton, B.C. with fellow first-round selection Tyson Jost.

In Fabbro, the Predators add another star talent in their deep crop of defenseman which includes, but is not limited to Shea Weber, Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, and Mattias Ekholm.

He's committed to Boston University for next season.

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