WHL Stars & NHL Debuts: former Giants forward Lysell makes key play in Bruins’ shutout victory

Boston, Mass.- An unexpected phone call has turned this holiday season into an unforgettable one for Fabian Lysell.

Fresh off of playing an AHL match with the Providence Bruins on Friday night, the 21-year-old woke up to a phone call letting him know he’d make his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins that night.

“Crazy how fast things can happen,” Lysell reflected postgame. “I woke up this morning, didn’t think of this, and then you get a call and then you’re up there. It’s just unbelievable and definitely special for me and my family, for sure, and everybody that’s helped me along.”

What’s more, the former Vancouver Giants forward had an immediate impact on the game-winning goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Lysell made a strong play behind the net on on his first NHL shift to set up Justin Brazeau’s game-opening tally.

Though he wouldn’t be awarded with an assist, his impact on the goal, an the eventual 4-0 win, can’t be denied.

5️⃣5️⃣ gets the first pic.twitter.com/sA6b3F4qUC

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 29, 2024

 

“I thought he handled himself well,” Bruins Interim Head Coach Joe Sacco said. “It’s obviously an exciting night for him, his family. He was on the ice for the first goal, which is always a good feeling. He did some good things. He was trying to be very responsible away from the puck.”

Lysell finished the night with 11:32 of ice time and a +1 rating.

In a lucky off-ice bounce, his family was visiting from Sweden for the holidays and was able to take in his debut the day before they were slated to fly back to Europe.

The 5-foot-11, 181-pound forward was originally drafted by the Bruins with the 21st overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

He left Sweden the following season to tune up his game with the Vancouver Giants, registering 22 goals and 40 assists for 62 points in 53 regular season games before erupting for four goals and 17 assists for 21 points in 12 playoff matches.

Lysell led all WHL skaters with 17 postseason assists and finished fourth in points-per-game (1.75), including a massive nine-assist effort in Round One to help the eight-seed Giants knock off the one-seed Everett Silvertips in six games.

The incredible upset marks the first time an eight-seed has defeated a one-seed in WHL history.

🎥 HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT 🎥@NHLBruins prospect Fabian Lysell wraps around the all-important insurance marker as the Giants stun the Silvertips in Game 5. #WHLPlayoffs@WHLGiants | #WHLHoN pic.twitter.com/SSf6T6t2Pu

— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 1, 2022

Lysell is in his third professional season and recently recorded his 100th pro point.

He’s amassed 34 goals and 70 assists for 104 points in 136 games with the Providence Bruins.

Boston (20-14-4) sits third in the Atlantic Division and returns to action against the Washington Capitals (24-9-2) at Capital One Arena on New Year’s Eve.