Sharks' Filip Bystedt Finally Gets NHL Opportunity

San Jose Sharks forward Filip Bystedt made the move to North America nearly four years ago. Despite being Mike Grier's first draft pick, and being a highly-touted prospect in his draft year, quite a few players drafted after him, even one in the same draft class, Cam Lund, got their NHL debut before him.

Now Bystedt's time has finally come, as the Sharks recalled him and defenseman Libor Hajek on Wednesday and the 22-year-old is set to make his NHL debut tonight. 

According to Bystedt, he found out the news on Wednesday morning: "I got called in by [John McCarthy] into his office, and he basically told me I'm going up here." 

It's been a long-time coming for the 22-year-old to make his NHL debut, but he isn't bothered by how long it took him to get an opportunity. "I wanted to play NHL games, but I'm just trying to go every day, trying to prove to them that to get the call up," Bystedt said. "You can't be sad that you're not getting it. You've just got to keep going every day."

Regardless of how, or when, the chance finally came, Bystedt was overjoyed by the news. "Obviously a lot of joy, happiness in my body," he said. "I wanted to give mom and dad a call and tell them." 

"They were full of joy and wondering when they can get over here and meet me," Bystedt said of his parents. "So it was awesome."

According to Sheng Peng, it appears that Bystedt's family should be in attendance for Thursday night's game against the Vancouver Canucks: