Oliver Bjorkstrand is a Danish professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on April 10, 1995, in Herning, Denmark, and is considered one of the top Danish ice hockey players of his generation. In this blog, we will take a closer look at Oliver Bjorkstrand's history, playing career, international play, career statistics, awards and honours.
History:
Oliver Bjorkstrand was born into an ice hockey family. His father, Todd Bjorkstrand, was a former professional ice hockey player who played for several teams in the NHL, including the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings. Oliver began playing ice hockey at a young age and quickly showed that he had a talent for the sport. He started playing in the Herning Blue Fox youth program before moving to the Frölunda HC junior team in Sweden.
Playing career:
Oliver Bjorkstrand's professional career began in the 2012-2013 season when he signed with the Herning Blue Fox of the Metal Ligaen, the top professional ice hockey league in Denmark. He quickly became one of the top players in the league, leading the Blue Fox in scoring in his rookie season. In the 2013-2014 season, he scored an impressive 58 points in 36 games, earning him the Metal Ligaen Rookie of the Year award.
In 2013, Bjorkstrand was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round, 89th overall. After playing one more season in Denmark, he moved to North America to play for the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was a standout player in the WHL, scoring 63 goals and 118 points in the 2014-2015 season, earning him the Bob Clarke Trophy as the league's top scorer.
Bjorkstrand made his NHL debut in the 2015-2016 season, playing in 12 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has since become a regular in the Blue Jackets' lineup, known for his speed and offensive abilities. He scored his first NHL goal on February 19, 2016, against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
International play:
Oliver Bjorkstrand has represented Denmark in international play at various levels. He played for Denmark in the IIHF World Junior Championships in 2014, 2015, and 2016, serving as team captain in 2016. He has also represented Denmark in the IIHF World Championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Career statistics:
Oliver Bjorkstrand's career statistics are impressive. In 234 NHL games, he has scored 75 goals and 87 assists for 162 points. In international play, he has scored 10 goals and 15 assists in 34 games for Denmark. His career high for goals in a season is 23, which he achieved in the 2019-2020 NHL season.
Awards and honours:
Oliver Bjorkstrand has won several awards and honours throughout his career. In addition to the Metal Ligaen Rookie of the Year award and the Bob Clarke Trophy, he was also named the WHL Player of the Year in the 2014-2015 season. He has also represented Denmark as captain in international play, a testament to his leadership abilities.
References:
- "Oliver Bjorkstrand." Elite Prospects. Accessed May 1, 2023. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/93768/oliver-bjorkstrand.
- "Oliver Bjorkstrand Stats and News." NHL.com. Accessed May 1, 2023.
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