Travel restrictions and COVID-related quarantining protocols kept 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell out of Boston for the team’s 2021 development camp, but it didn’t stop Lysell and the Bruins from coming to terms on his entry-level deal. Nor has held up their plans for the teenager’s trek to North America.
“He’s going to come to rookie camp,” new P-Bruins head coach Ryan Mougenel said. “We’re excited about him. I think the one big thing for us with the Bruins is that we’re just taking it day-by-day. The rookie camp is a great starting point for him and we’re going to work from there and see where it goes. I think it’s pretty evident that he’s got some special talents.”
If there’s one thing Lysell has, it’s skill. It’s a major element of his game, something the B’s desperately need more of on the right side behind David Pastrnak, and what Bruins general manager Don Sweeney raved about following Lysell’s selection.
“I think we do identify with the skill and the game-breaking ability,” Sweeney said last month. “He’s got speed, he can shoot the puck. You saw the pockets of high-end ability.
“He has a certain skillset that was certainly attractive to us: Passion and drive for the game. Adapting to a North American style and smaller rinks, when he decides to come over, is a something we’ll have to have discussions with him and his representatives. We are excited for what Fabian brings and his passion and skill combination was unique for us to identify.”
That, according to Mougenel, checks out.
“It’s funny; I was just actually sent a video from his skills coach in Sweden who I’ve actually befriended and know,” Mougenel revealed. “And I’ve obviously seen the videos that you’ve seen. I haven’t really dissected his game. I haven’t really watched it too closely. Obviously seen a lot of the highlights.”
What’s interesting is that Lysell seems to be following the Pastrnak path, too, as a teenager trying to jump to the North American pro game as soon as possible.
It was back in 2014 when Pastrnak was drafted as a fresh-faced 18-year-old who spent 25 games in Providence before jumping to the NHL and skating in 46 games with the Bruins. And that was after skating in 36 games in Sweden’s second-highest league the previous season. Lysell, mind you, is coming off a 2020-21 campaign that saw him skate in 26 games in Sweden’s top league, so the jump may not be as unrealistic as it sounds.
But determining whether or not a similar timeline is possible starts with that first jump into the Black and Gold’s culture.
“[Lysell]’s still only 18 years old, so obviously, we’re very excited to get him acclimated to the foundations of the Bruins and what we are and what we believe,” said Mougenel. “And the quicker we can get him acclimated to that in rookie camp, there’s no ceiling for him at all.”
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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.