Oliver Bjorkstrand

Oliver Bjorkstrand (born 10 April 1995) is a Danish professional ice hockey right winger. He currently plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Seattle Kraken. Outside of the NHL, he has played for the Herning Blue Fox of the AL-Bank Ligaen.

Bjorkstrand is a one-time NHL All-Star, being named one in 2024.

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Bjorkstrand played parts of one season with the Herning Blue Fox of the AL-Bank Ligaen and three seasons with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He had a successful time with the Winterhawks. He recorded 109 points and was named to the WHL Western Conference All-Star First Team that year. He helped the team during the 2014 WHL Playoffs. They defeated the Vancouver Giants, Victoria Royals, and Kelowna Rockets. The Winterhawks went on to lose to the Edmonton Oil Kings four games to three in the WHL Championship finals. The next season was also successful for Bjorkstrand. He finished the season with a recorded 63 goals and 118 points. This was the most in the league for the season and he was awarded the Bob Clarke Trophy for being the top scorer in the WHL.

He was drafted 89th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2013 NHL entry draft. On 26 December 2013, Bjorkstrand signed a three-year entry-level contract to join the Blue Jackets. He was immediately sent down to play for their AHL-affiliate Lake Erie Monsters. On 17 March 2016, the Blue Jackets called him up and he made his NHL debut in a 3–1 loss against the Detroit Red Wings. Two days later, on 19 March, Bjorkstrand scored his first NHL goal and another against Yann Danis in a 6–3 win against the New Jersey Devils. He was then sent back down to the AHL play for the Monsters. He helped the team during the Calder Cup playoffs. They defeated the Rockford IceHogs, Grand Rapids Griffins, and Ontario Reign. The Monsters defeated the Hershey Bears in a four games to zero sweep of the Finals to win the Calder Cup. Bjorkstrand was very productive during the Monsters run to the cup and scored the game-winning overtime goal to help clinch to championship. He was awarded the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy for most valuable player of the Calder Cup playoffs. On 15 July 2018, Bjorkstrand signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract to stay with the Blue Jackets. He helped the team during the Stanley Cup playoffs. They defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs three games to two in the Eastern Conference Qualifying Round. They went on to the First Round where they were defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning four games to one. On 6 January 2021, Bjorkstrand signed a five-year, $27 million contract to stay with the Blue Jackets. On 12 October 2021, the Blue Jackets named Bjorkstrand an alternate captain of the team.

On 22 July 2022, the Blue Jackets traded Bjorkstrand to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for 2023 third-round and fourth-round pick. He helped the team qualify for their first playoff appearance in franchise history during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. They faced off against the defending Stanley Cup-champion Colorado Avalanche]] in the first round. The Kraken were viewed as major underdogs in the battle. The Kraken caused an upset when they defeated the Avalanche four games to three. In Game 7 of the series, Bjorkstrand scored twice for the Kraken. They went on to the Second Round where they were defeated by the Dallas Stars four games to three. On 4 January 2024, Bjorkstrand was selected for his first ever NHL All-Star Game, playing for Team MacKinnon.

On 5 March 2025, the Kraken traded Bjorkstrand along with Kyle Aucoin, Yanni Gourde, and a fifth-round draft pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in a three-team deal, where the Kraken received Mikey Eyssimont, two conditional first-round draft picks, and a second-round pick. The third team in the trade were the Detroit Red Wings who received a fourth-round pick for keeping half of Gourde's salary.

Personal life
Bjorkstrand's brother Patrick and father Todd were also both involved in professional hockey.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1995 births
Category:Living people
Category:Cleveland Monsters players
Category:Columbus Blue Jackets players
Category:Danish ice hockey players
Category:Lake Erie Monsters players
Category:Portland Winterhawks players
Category:Seattle Kraken players
Category:Tampa Bay Lightning players