The Bruins have found a home for 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell
The 2021-22 season will come with an introduction to North American hockey for 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell.
But that will not come in the AHL or NHL, as the Bruins plan to send Lysell to the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League for the upcoming season, according to Bruins general manager Don Sweeney.
The move to the WHL comes after a 2021 Prospects Challenge effort that saw the 5-foot-10 Lysell put up one goal (an empty-net tally) and three assists in two games against prospect squads of both the Sabres and Devils.
“I think [Lysell] felt very comfortable today,” P-Bruins head coach Ryan Mougenel said following Lysell’s second and final game of the 2021 prospects challenge in Buffalo. “I thought he was a little bit of a different player. He’s an exciting player. Every time he touched the puck I got excited. I think he was feeling it for sure.
“He did a very good job. Very good game for him.”
Drafted with the No. 21 overall pick, Lysell’s expected move to Canadian juniors puts him back in his age group after spending the 2020-21 season with Luleå HF of the Swedish Hockey League, where he scored two goals and added an assist while averaging less than eight minutes per night as a teen playing pro hockey.
“He’s got some areas in traffic and things he’s got to be aware of, and defensively — all things we believe we can teach young players, as long as they’re willing to learn,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said from Buffalo (via The Boston Globe’s Matt Porter). “But he’s got the skillset that’s pretty unique to be adding to our group, and to be excited about. It’ll be important to play against his peer group.
“We’re excited he’s going to play over here.”
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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.
