Those guys had won a lot before coming to Illinois.”Īfter assistant coaching stints with Fenwick and the Chicago Hawks, Fabbrini worked as a graduate assistant in the hockey program at Illinois during the 2008-09 season.Ī few years later, he was named head coach of his alma mater. “Like Fenwick, I was really fortunate to play with a lot of really good players. “It really worked out great for me to be honest,” Fabbrini said about attending Illinois. The Illini won American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championships in 20.
During his time in Champaign-Urbana (2004-2008), Fabbrini had 74 goals and 58 assists for 132 points in 141 games played. With a strong academic and athletic background in place, Fabbrini considered junior hockey or college as his next move.Īfter much consideration, Fabbrini decided on the University of Illinois. “I also think students at Fenwick are typically there because they want to get the most out of their education.” “Being a student-athlete there was a big part of why I enjoyed it so much,” Fabbrini said. Having such a rich sports history was definitely a factor in my decision to go there. “I actually played baseball and soccer at Fenwick as well. “I was really fortunate to play on such great teams,” he said. Goalie Trevor Heffernan and all-state defenseman Chris Meegan and Eddie Mazur ensured comparable excellence at the other end of the rink.Ĭoached by Dave Cromer and his assistant, Mike Breslin, Fenwick won back-to-back state championships and Kennedy Cup titles during Fabbrini’s upperclassmen years. Playing alongside center John Glancy and right-winger Mike Janda, Fabbrini flourished as a forward on one of the greatest lines in the history of Illinois High School hockey. After stints playing in the Franklin Park house league and for club teams like the Addison Grizzlies and Chicago Blues, Fabbrini joined the Friars his junior year in high school. A few years later, Fabbrini’s addiction worked to Fenwick High School hockey’s benefit.