San Jose Sharks forward Filip Bystedt (21) takes part in a prospect scrimmage at Tech CU Arena on Thursday, July 6, 2023, in San Jose, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose Sharks first-round draft pick Filip Bystedt will make his North American professional debut tonight when the San Jose Barracuda face the San Diego Gulls at Pechanga Arena.
It will be a quick turnaround for Bystedt, the 20-year-old centerman who was officially reassigned to the Barracuda on Monday and arrived in San Diego to meet the team later that day. He will wear No. 21.
It was not immediately clear who Bystedt’s linemates were going to be against the Gulls. He may take the place of Jack Studnicka, who centered a line with Danil Gushchin and Brandon Coe in the Barracuda’s 4-1 win over the Calgary Wranglers on Sunday. Studnicka was recalled by the Sharks on Monday.
Wednesday’s game starts at 7 p.m. The Barracuda (21-32-9-2) have been officially eliminated from playoff contention but can move past the Gulls (23-31-8-0) into ninth place in the AHL Pacific Division with a regulation-time win.
Bystedt, chosen 27th overall by the Sharks in 2022, had 17 points in 47 regular season games for Linkoping of the Swedish Hockey League this season. He had 20 points in 45 games for the club last season.
The Sharks felt Bystedt had a solid year.
“It’s a 19-year-old playing against men in the top division in Sweden,” said Chris Morehouse, the Sharks’ director of amateur scouting, in December. “There are going to be some ups and downs.”
Playing for Sweden at the World Juniors, Bystedt had three goals and an assist in seven games.
“His development has continued to get better from day one,” said Todd Marchant, the Sharks’ director of player development.
Originally published at Curtis Pashelka