( Photo Credit: Rob Wilton / WHL Vancouver Giants )

By: Mark Allred | Follow me on Twitter @BlackAndGold277

Last night the Western Hockey League Vancouver Giants hosted the Victoria Royals at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. It was the popular Teddy Bear toss night, an annual event to help less fortunate children during the Christmas holidays. After the loss to the Royals on Friday night, the Giants sit in the fourth position in the WHL Western Conference with a 13-9-1-0 record and 27 points in 23 games. Vancouver is currently on a two-game losing streak and 6-4-0 in their last ten games.

One of the hottest point producers for the Vancouver Giants recently has been Boston Bruins 2021 first-round selection Fabian Lysell who scored two goals last night. With a pair of goals in the 4-3 regulation loss to the Royals last night, the 5′-10″ 172-pound Gotenborg, Sweden native now has two multiple-goal games as the Giants pass the quarter mark of the 2021/22 regular season campaign. Our own Black N’ Gold Productions Sports Media Company Senior writer Max Mainville was in attendance in Vancouver last night taking in the Giant’s action but also getting the eye test for the crafty forward Lysell.

Lysell now has 11-17-28 numbers in 22 games played and, in his last 11 WHL contests, has really stepped up his offensive production in that timeframe contributing 9-7-16 totals. The 18-year-old was selected in the first round of the 2020 WHL Import, where the Vancouver club acquired his rights selection him with the 30th pick. This was an excellent idea for the young and very talented forward after being released from the NHL Boston Bruins training camp in the fall of 2021.

Being placed in western Canada developing on the Vancouver team was beneficial to both Lysell and the NHL Bruins organization. This is Fabian’s first time playing North American hockey on the shorter ice surfaces but it also prepares a younger player with tremendous offensive upside the opportunity to be exposed to the physical aspect of the game. Not only will Lysell’s attributes and skill be on display it also allows him to learn how to match up against opposing players who are not only after the puck but also who play the body with heavy hits.

On September 30th, 2021, Vancouver Giants General Manager had some positive things to say about the addition of Lysell to his WHL club saying “We’re excited to have Fabian join us this season,” said GM Barclay Parneta. “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.”

Lysell was signed to an entry-level contract on August 9th, 2021, after his contract after his two-year extension that he signed in January of 2021 was terminated. The reason of contract termination with Fabian and his former Lulea HF club in the Swedish Hockey League was a disagreement between both sides as the Lulea management wanted Lysell to play in a lower affiliated league.

Fabian wanted to continue his development in his native country against older players believing in himself as a higher caliber forward regardless of point production on the larger ice surfaces overseas. It was a no-brainer for the Bruins management and first-round pick to bring his game across the pond. Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney had this to say back in August per an article from NESN.com’s Alexandra Francisco on December 8th,2021, “Fabian is a talented young player, and we look forward to working with Fabian throughout the development process,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said in August after signing Lysell to an entry-level deal.

Below are the two goals that Boston Bruins 2021 first-round selection scored in last night’s 4-3 loss. The Giants are back in action tonight as both teams do battle again this time Vancouver is on the road at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena in Victoria, British Columbia. If you want to watch the Vancouver Giants and Bruins prospect Fabian Lysell in action for your own eyes, I highly recommend subscribing to watch.chl.ca and have access to other Bruins prospects in the Ontario Hockey League such as forward Brett Harrison of the Oshawa Generals and defenseman Ryan Mast of the Sarina Sting.