The Dallas Stars recall 2022 first round pick Lian Bichsel from AHL Texas to play in Thursday's matchup versus the Nashville Predators

The Dallas Stars have recalled defenceman Lian Bichsel from AHL Texas ahead of Thursday's matchup versus the Nashville Predators. The move was likely due to the injury to blueliner Matt Dumba, who is sidelined with an upper-body injury. 

Bichsel was selected 18th overall by the Stars in the 2022 NHL Draft and has since recorded four goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 37 games played. He was recently involved in some trade rumors as he is one of the Stars highest end prospects and could be dealt if the team looks to go after a big name on the trade market. 

The 20-year-old Swiss defenceman will be making his NHL debut Thursday and will likely be paired up with Thomas Harley, who is coming off a stellar two-goal performance against the Flames on Sunday. The duo will man Dallas's third defensive pairing. 

The Stars have the fourth-best goals against average in the NHL this season at 2.56 which means Bichsel will likely be put in a position to succeed if he can fill the hole left by Dumba and continue playing in the Stars defensive structure.

Bichsel is a massive 6-foot-6 234 pound body, who uses frame to his advantage, delivering big hits and using his long stick as an elite stick checker. He can close out space like very few can and his defensive abilities have grown at every level, starting with his hometown EHC Olton and finishing with Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League. 

He grew up in an athletic family with his father being a professional handball player while his brothers played soccer. His family will surely be watching from Switzerland as their Lian makes his debut.