The Boston Bruins received a recent boost from the play of rookie defenseman Jack Ahcan.
The undrafted free agent signing in the spring of 2020 out of St. Cloud State made his NHL debut during the 2020-21 pandemic-shortened season, but scored his first NHL goal this week in the B’s victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, and is showing signs of being the small but dangerous two-way defender that he was in college as captain of the Huskies. His goal came on pure effort and instinct, getting the puck off a turnover and skating to the middle of the ice to change the shooting angle before firing a quick wrist shot past Chicago goalie Kevin Lankinen.
Ahcan was in the lineup because of a recent injury to Matt Grzelcyk, but once the veteran was able to return in Boston’s Saturday evening game against Arizona, the youngster was out. His time as a Boston regular is coming, but it is not here yet. Grzelcyk is the established blueliner, and just as he had to bide his time when Torey Krug was the undersized regular on the back end before him, the team cannot afford to play two smaller ‘D’ on the left side. Ahcan's limited returns have looked promising, and the 24-year-old Minnesotan is having a strong season in Providence, but he’s not quite ready.
This week, we take a closer look at the young blueliner, along with four other Bruins future hopefuls who have been showing upward mobility in recent weeks with improved play and production in their respective leagues.
Jack Ahcan
Providence Bruins (AHL), 5/18/97, D, left shot, 5-9/181
21-22 AHL stats: 34gp, 6g, 15a, 21pts; 8pim
21-22 NHL stats: 5gp, 1g, 0a, 1pt; 0pim
Why he’s on the rise: Although small (he’s a couple of inches shorter than his listed height), he’s feisty and plays with a real chip on his shoulder after years of being snubbed over size concerns. With a strong lower body, he generates outstanding power in his leg drive, effortlessly motoring up the ice while using his lower center of gravity to withstand body contact and driving opponents back when he initiates a reverse-hit to create space for himself. His low penalty minute totals tell the story of a disciplined but physical player who doesn’t hurt his team by playing out of control. Providence head coach Ryan Mougenel praised Ahcan earlier in the season for being willing to take risks to win hockey games.
Fabian Lysell
Vancouver Giants (WHL), 1/19/03, RW, right shot, 5-10/172
21-22 WHL stats: 40gp, 20g, 26a, 46pts; 44pim
Why he’s on the rise: It took some time to adjust to the rugged physical style and smaller ice surfaces of the WHL, but once the 21st overall selection in the 2021 draft figured it out, he’s been on a tear. World class skater explodes to top speed and sends defenders backpedaling when he plays with breakneck pace. Extremely agile hands and deft puckhandling skills make him a threat to turn opponents inside-out on the way to the net. There are times he can be a bit reckless and will need to clean up some of the penalties he takes, but he’s an elite offensive talent. In a system full of capable economy model types, Lysell is a sleek, expensive sports car, and requires a high level of maintenance and upkeep. However, when the Bruins are ready to unleash him, he’ll bring a new dimension to the team’s offense.
https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/1502519774282100738?s=20&t=lv0I5SxE-Le2LZoulJxTsg
Matias Mantykivi
Ilves Tampere (Finland), 6/21/01, C/LW, left shot, 5-11/165
21-22 SM-liiga stats: 47gp, 12g, 18a, 30pts; 12pim
Why he’s on the rise: Perhaps the biggest mystery man in Boston’s organization, the picture is starting to come into focus after the crafty winger more than tripled his production from a year ago. Playing in Finland’s top pro league, the sixth-round pick in 2019 can skate, create and score. One Bruins insider told the New England Hockey Journal earlier in the season that the 20-year-old has shown the most improvement of any Boston prospect since being drafted, with the exception of Mason Lohrei. He compensates for pedestrian skating and burst with his vision, hands and drive.  Watch for him to sign with Boston and come to North America, where he can be fast-tracked for development in 2022-23.
Philip Svedebäck
Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL), 5/28/02, G, catches left, 6-3/205
21-22 USHL stats: 18gp, 10-5-3, 3.20gaa, .903spct
Why he’s on the rise: After missing much of the season with various upper body injuries, the 2021 fourth-rounder has been on fire in a recent stretch for one of the USHL’s hottest teams. He’s 3-0 in his last three starts, with a .940 save percentage, including 41 saves on 42 shots in a win over Madison.
The Providence College recruit has the talent to develop into an intriguing pro, if only he can stay healthy and string more quality starts together for the Fighting Saints. They made some big moves at the league trade deadline and could very well come out of the Eastern Conference in the playoffs this year. If they do, the Swede will have to play a big part in that, especially with the Chicago Steel and Muskegon Lumberjacks offenses to contend with.
Victor Berglund
Providence Bruins (AHL), 8/2/99, D, right shot, 6-1/183
21-22 AHL stats: 31gp, 4g, 11a, 15pts; 22pim
Why he’s on the rise: A project pick and seventh-rounder in 2017 out of Sweden, Berglund could always really skate. Nearly five years later, he’s grown into his body, and is showing signs of developing into an intriguing defenseman with some offensive pop to his game. He can wheel and move pucks effectively, though he’s not a naturally instinctive defender. Still, for such a late pick, he’s getting a bigger role in the AHL, and showing some real puck poise in the process. No one will ever mistake him for Bobby Orr, but he’s steadily grown his game overseas and Boston’s patience might pay some dividends in the not-too-distant future.
