(Photo credit: Rich Gagnon, BU Athletics)

One former Boston University standout is making an immediate impact in Providence days after signing his amateur tryout agreement. Another hopes to do the same after signing his entry-level contract this past weekend.

For Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, the timing was ideal to join his fellow ex-Terrier in Charlie McAvoy and begin his professional hockey career with the Boston Bruins

“There’s a lot of parts that go into it,” Forsbacca-Karlsson, better known locally as JFK, said after his first appearance in a B’s practice uniform during the team’s morning skate on Tuesday at Warrior Ice Arena. “I felt that this was the right move for me and the right time to come into the Bruins organization.”

As with any collegiate player making the jump to the National Hockey League – especially in the last few weeks of the regular season – there will be an adjustment period.

The Stockholm, Sweeden native ended his first on-ice practice session on Tuesday by leading the team’s post-practice stretch routine following the morning skate. Tonight, he’ll be watching from the ninth floor as the Bruins look for a regulation win against the Lightning and secure their first playoff berth in three years.

“There’s obviously more mature play. You know, guys are faster, stronger and it’s just a step up from everything,” Forsbacka-Karlsson said. “But it’s exciting [to be here].”

There is still one more hurdle before Forsbacka-Karlsson begins his professional career either in Providence or Boston. Following his two years at Commonwealth Ave., the Swede still needs to update his immigration status from student to professional before taking the ice for the first time. Once his immigration status is cleared, the 2015 second round pick hopes to develop his two-way game into the NHL level.

Forsbacka-Karlsson is already being compared to some of the best two-way talents in today’s NHL. His style of play has been linked to the likes of Selke Award winners Patrice Bergeron, Jonathan Toews and Anze Kopitar.

Not bad for a player who hasn’t stepped on the NHL ice, especially for someone who can seek advice from Bergeron immediately.

“First of all, it’s very flattering to hear something like that,” Forsbacka-Karlsson said about the comparison to Bergeron. “Just to be around the guy and see what he does, you know it’s going to be an amazing opportunity for me.”

“I’ve watched a lot of those guys who play a two-way game, so those are the guys [I try to model my game after],” Forsbacka-Karlsson added. “Obviously, Bergeron is the best in the league at that, but, you know, guys like Toews and Kopitar are guys you watch and try to learn from. It’s tough to be compared to guys like that, but those are the guys you learn from.”

Whether Forsbacka-Karlsson will be able to join Boston in its fight for playoff positioning or join McAvoy to begin his career down in Providence is anyone’s guess. There’s no denying that the opportunity to realize his potential and create his own two-way niche is a good one.