By Ryan Ellis | Follow Ryan on Twitter @_RyEllis_
Today the Boston Bruins have announced that two of their 2021 draft picks will head north of the border to join their respective Junior teams. 18-year-old forward Fabian Lysell will be taking his talents to the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, while 18-year-old center Brett Harrison joins the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.
Boston Bruins brass and fan-base have plenty to be excited about in the 2021 first-round selection Fabian Lysell. The Bruins jumped at the chance to take the flashy forward out of Göteborg, Sweden. Lysell, who many predicted to be off the board by then, signed his entry-level contract. Not long into training camp, it became known he would be joining the Vancouver Giants, who drafted him 30th overall in the 2020 CHL Import Draft.
In two exhibition games with the Bruins, Lysell boasted his offensive prowess, registering four shots-on-goal and one assist. Fans caught a glimpse of the future on Tuesday night against the New York Rangers. Lysell found linemate and big-club hopeful Jack Studnicka in the slot with a nifty pass for a goal. Despite his age and size, Lysell didn’t back down from puck-battles and mixing it up with opponents.
Lysell looks to continue his adjustment to the North American style of play in a notoriously physical WHL. Vancouver Giants GM Barclay Parneta looks forward to welcoming the Swedish forward to the team, “We’re excited to have Fabian join us this season. With the support of the Boston Bruins, we are thrilled to help with his development and his transition to the North American style of play.”
Fellow 2021 Bruins draft pick Brett Harrison did not see any action in the two pre-season games played thus far. However, the third-round selection played well during the prospects challenge in Buffalo, where he tallied the game-winning goal against the Sabres squad. The sharp-shooting center returns to the Oshawa Generals for his second season in the OHL.
Harrison hopes to continue his Junior league production where he left off. The 2020-2021 OHL season was derailed by Covid-19, leaving Harrison with a decision to make. He landed a roster spot in Koovee, Finland, before joining Team Canada for the IIHF U-18 World Hockey Championships. Playing in seven games and notching two goals, Harrison impressed NHL scouts while earning a Gold medal.
Now heading back to the O, Harrison hopes to improve upon his 37-point campaign in 2019-2020 for the Generals over 58 games. The Oshawa Generals (former team of Bruins center Jack Studnicka) are convinced they have an NHL star in the making. “Whoever takes Brett will have themselves a player that can be a cornerstone of their organization for years to come,” said GM Roger Hunt. “He is a player that makes players better around him, is mature beyond his years, and will be a captain in the NHL one day.” No pressure or anything, Brett…
It would appear that Boston’s once depleted prospect pool is beginning to replenish itself. It will be an exciting year for these youngsters as they make the necessary strides to join the organization in Providence and eventually Boston. Keep on coming back to BlackNGoldHockey.com throughout the year as we keep tabs on their progress.
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