Great start for Oliver Bjørkstrand for Portland. 3 games, 3 goals and 2 assists. 8'th overall in WHL for points and best rookie.
Even his older brother Patrick is doing well in Mora in Sweden where Anze Kopitar really seems to also fire up. Patrick Bjørkstrand has 5 matches, 2 goals and 1 assist (Anze Kopitar has 2 matches, 1 goal and 4 assists).
Just got back from the game in Saskatoon. Bjorkstrand had an excellent game...super glad he was rewarded with some points. Some thoughts:
- Not very physical but definitely not afraid (and in fact, very willing) to go to the dirty areas.
- Great shot. I tracked 4 SOG, one of which was a beautiful snipe. Two of the others Makarov had a hard time controlling, which is a good sign for a shooter.
- Great passer. Sometimes tried forcing a play that was't there down low, but all in all he seems to have tremendous vision.
- Very strong on the puck down low; confident while carrying it up ice too.
I'd be curious to hear Mr. Cody Nickolet's thoughts on his game tonight.
Thought he was very good last night. I've seen him 2-3 times now and this was definitely the best viewing of him so far for me. Showed me a lot more physically than I had seen from him in the other viewings. Was hard on the backcheck. His goal was fantastic too, an excellent wrist shot that was bar-down.
Well, it's most likely Björkstrand originally and when some swedish emigrated once upon a time the Ö became an O in North America.
Björk is in modern danish "birk" (but Björk is the old norse name still used in icelandic, so a danish version would be written Bjørk).
I just "danified" the originally swedish name, because he is a danish citizen
In english it's "birch",...so his name means "birchbeach".
Bjork with an O is meaningless.
(So he will have to live with that I will call him Bjørkstrand )
It became popular in Sweden in the 1800's to adopt family names derived from nature: Dahl, Berg, Quist/Kvist, Ström, Gren etc (Dahl-berg, Berg-quist, Ström-gren).
Björkstrand is a typical nature-surname from that period. They are much less common in Denmark and Norway.
Watched his game against the Pats the other day, he was OK. Loved to shoot the puck, very quick, and really seemed to buzz around the slot and the net. Thought he could have used his teammates a bit better and didn't really show any physicality. It's a one-game comparison but he sort of reminded me Jason Blake.
Just got back from the game in Saskatoon. Bjorkstrand had an excellent game...super glad he was rewarded with some points. Some thoughts:
- Not very physical but definitely not afraid (and in fact, very willing) to go to the dirty areas.
- Great shot. I tracked 4 SOG, one of which was a beautiful snipe. Two of the others Makarov had a hard time controlling, which is a good sign for a shooter.
- Great passer. Sometimes tried forcing a play that was't there down low, but all in all he seems to have tremendous vision.
- Very strong on the puck down low; confident while carrying it up ice too.
I'd be curious to hear Mr. Cody Nickolet's thoughts on his game tonight.
This show that beside the puck-skill assets he also has a fighting attitude. Physicality can be learned with age (and if he keeps growing). At this point in his career avoiding serious injuries are probably more important, than slugging it on the ice. I think it's only positive for his development that he is not afraid to finetune his sniping skills. His playmaking are maybe too advanced sometimes...but that he keeps trying them will only be a bonus as they players around him get better and faster.
Well, it's most likely Björkstrand originally and when some swedish emigrated once upon a time the Ö became an O in North America.
Björk is in modern danish "birk" (but Björk is the old norse name still used in icelandic, so a danish version would be written Bjørk).
I just "danified" the originally swedish name, because he is a danish citizen
In english it's "birch",...so his name means "birchbeach".
Bjork with an O is meaningless.
(So he will have to live with that I will call him Bjørkstrand )
It became popular in Sweden in the 1800's to adopt family names derived from nature: Dahl, Berg, Quist/Kvist, Ström, Gren etc (Dahl-berg, Berg-quist, Ström-gren).
Björkstrand is a typical nature-surname from that period. They are much less common in Denmark and Norway.
I have no insight as to his ethnic background and the derivation of his name, but I do know that his father grew up in Minnesota before playing collegiately at Maine, and then professionally for a long time in Europe before settling in Denmark, so the actual story may be more complicated.
I have no insight as to his ethnic background and the derivation of his name, but I do know that his father grew up in Minnesota before playing collegiately at Maine, and then professionally for a long time in Europe before settling in Denmark, so the actual story may be more complicated.
Yeah his dad Todd Bjorkstrand was an american hockey player that became a true hockey legend in Denmark (it's just the name that show some original swedish decent). All his Europe professionalism has been in Denmark exclusively.
He played 14 years for Herning in the Danish league (1988-2002) and won the championship 7 times. He was danish player of the year 3 times. Current head coach of Herning for 10 years running (2002-2012) and in this time they have 6 championships, 1 silver, 2 bronze and 1 fourth place.
And he is also the danish U20 coach since 2010!
He is with Petri Skriko (that played together with T.Bjorkstrand in Herning from 1993-1999 and was Herning headcoach in 1999-2001) probably the best player that ever played in the danish league. Todd Bjorkstrand certainly found the net alot in his career 840 goals in 955 games overall all leagues.
Well, it's most likely Björkstrand originally and when some swedish emigrated once upon a time the Ö became an O in North America.
Björk is in modern danish "birk" (but Björk is the old norse name still used in icelandic, so a danish version would be written Bjørk).
I just "danified" the originally swedish name, because he is a danish citizen
In english it's "birch",...so his name means "birchbeach".
Bjork with an O is meaningless.
(So he will have to live with that I will call him Bjørkstrand )
It became popular in Sweden in the 1800's to adopt family names derived from nature: Dahl, Berg, Quist/Kvist, Ström, Gren etc (Dahl-berg, Berg-quist, Ström-gren).
Björkstrand is a typical nature-surname from that period. They are much less common in Denmark and Norway.
I know, but the spelling of his name stands. I know the family name is pronounced Bjørkstrand in Denmark but it is spelled Bjorkstrand. I once served beers for his father Tood, should've asked him about the pronounciation :-)
How has he fared so far ? Anyone here from Portland ? I'd like to know how he's doing.
I've liked him the times I've seen him and have been more and more impressed with each passing viewing. Offensive talent who doesn't really play as 'European' as I first thought.
I've liked him the times I've seen him and have been more and more impressed with each passing viewing. Offensive talent who doesn't really play as 'European' as I first thought.
I've found that the Danes are very North American..
Can anyone say if he's better then Boedker or Jensen at the same age ?
I've found that the Danes are very North American..
Can anyone say if he's better then Boedker or Jensen at the same age ?
Looking purely on stats we can make a comparison based in the season while they are 17 going on 18. The following information is from eliteprospect.com.
O. Bjørkstrand has 5G 5A in 11 games so far for Portland Winterhawks.
N. Jensen had in 2010-11 29G 29A in 61 games for Oshawa Generals.
M. Bødker had in 2007-08 29 G 44A in 62 games for Kitchener Rangers (but being born in december Bødker has ½ a year age advantage to Jensen and Bjørkstrand that is born in March and April.
Based on their games age 16 going on 17.
O. Bjørkstrand had 13G 13A in 36 games for Herning 2011-12 in the danish league.
N. Jensen had 12G 14 A in 34 games for Herning in 2009-10 in the danish league.
M. Bødker had 19G 30A in 39 games for Frölunda U20 in 2006-07 in Sweden.
It looks that O. Bjørkstrand and Nicklas Jensen are basically similar in the tally for Herning and in the OHL/WHL campaigns.
Bødker had more than around 1 point pr game, but also a ½ a year advantage......
Bødker was drafted 8'th first round and Nicklas Jensen 29'th first round. I would say Bjørkstrand should be in the N. Jensen area as a low 1'st rounder or early 2'nd rounder as his game are right now.....but still time for going up or down the ranking.
I've found that the Danes are very North American..
Can anyone say if he's better then Boedker or Jensen at the same age ?
Good question. I would probably take Bjork over Boedker, but after his recent playoff run it seems he will live up to his potential. I still think Jensen is the best Danish player in terms of the most potential, but yeah Bjork should definitely be right after these two players.
Good question. I would probably take Bjork over Boedker, but after his recent playoff run it seems he will live up to his potential. I still think Jensen is the best Danish player in terms of the most potential, but yeah Bjork should definitely be right after these two players.
I love Jensen, and I thought he could be very good, still think he will be.
Bjorkstrand has some potential, Portland was a smart choice.
Thought he was very good last night. I've seen him 2-3 times now and this was definitely the best viewing of him so far for me. Showed me a lot more physically than I had seen from him in the other viewings. Was hard on the backcheck. His goal was fantastic too, an excellent wrist shot that was bar-down.
This kid is trending upwards for me.
I agree, saw him against Vancouver the other night and he is a great skater and doesn't shy away from heavy traffic.
Size, well actually his weight, is the only real concern here and he looks like a solid top 60 pick and could trend up into the 1st round with his offensive instincts IMO.
and when some swedish emigrated once upon a time the Ö became an O in North America.
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