Anders Patrick Bjork Bio
Anders Patrick Bjork is an American professional ice hockey left winger who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL), the primary affiliate of the Nashville Predators. Bjork was selected 146th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2014 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft.
Standing 183 centimeters tall and weighing 86 kilograms, Bjork has built his professional career on the left wing since making the jump from college hockey in 2017. Over the years, he has suited up for the Boston Bruins, the Buffalo Sabres, the Chicago Blackhawks, and several of their AHL affiliates.
Early Life and Background
Anders Patrick Bjork was born on August 5, 1996, in Mequon, Wisconsin, in the United States. He grew up in a family with strong ties to hockey and to the University of Notre Dame. Both of his parents, Kirt Bjork and Patricia Bjork, are of Swedish descent and attended Notre Dame, where Kirt Bjork also played hockey.
Before high school, Bjork moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in order to play for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, the central development pathway for top American prospects. He attended Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, where he continued to sharpen his game while balancing academics.
Several members of Bjork’s extended family share his Notre Dame connection. His sisters Brinya and Keali, along with his cousin Erik Condra, all attended the school. His younger brother, Brady, has committed to play hockey at the University of Notre Dame, continuing the family’s tradition with the Fighting Irish.
Path to Hockey
Bjork’s development followed the traditional American route through the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, where he trained against many of the top players born in his age group. That exposure helped him attract attention from college programs and NHL scouts during his teenage years.
His play in the development program and at Pioneer High School earned him a selection by the Boston Bruins in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, where he was taken 146th overall. Rather than turn professional immediately, he honored his commitment to play college hockey at Notre Dame, joining a Fighting Irish program competing in the Hockey East conference.
At Notre Dame, Bjork majored in the Mendoza College of Business while continuing to grow as a left winger. His junior season, in 2016–17, marked his arrival as one of the top college players in the country. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, an honor given to the best player in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey, was named a Hockey East First-Team All-Star, and was a co-winner of the Hockey East Three-Stars Award. He concluded his junior season by signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins on May 30, 2017.
Anders Patrick Bjork Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Bjork spent three seasons at Notre Dame from 2014 to 2017, playing in the Hockey East conference and developing into a two-way left winger. His offensive game grew each year, and his production spiked during his junior season, when he served as one of the offensive engines for the Fighting Irish.
The 2016–17 campaign served as the foundation of his transition to the professional ranks. After being named a Hobey Baker finalist, a Hockey East First-Team All-Star, and a co-winner of the Hockey East Three-Stars Award, Bjork signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Boston Bruins on May 30, 2017, ending his collegiate career.
Boston Bruins (2017–2021)
Bjork made his National Hockey League debut in the 2017–18 Bruins season opener, a 4–3 home victory over the Nashville Predators. In that game, he recorded his first NHL point, an assist on Jake DeBrusk’s first career goal. His first NHL goal came in the fourth game of the season, on the road against the Arizona Coyotes, when he closed out a 6–2 Boston win.
His first professional season was cut short on January 30, 2018, when he suffered a left shoulder injury during a home game against the Anaheim Ducks. Bjork underwent arthroscopy and labral repair surgery roughly three weeks later, and the Bruins projected a six-month recovery. He returned in subsequent seasons and played roles on Boston’s roster and in the AHL. During the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, he collected 2 goals and 5 points in 30 regular-season games before being dealt.
Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks (2021–2023)
On April 11, 2021, on the eve of the NHL trade deadline, the Boston Bruins traded Anders Bjork, along with a 2021 second-round draft pick, to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar. The move gave him a fresh start in the Sabres organization.
On March 2, 2023, near that season’s trade deadline, the Sabres traded Bjork to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for future considerations. At the time of the trade, he had spent most of the season with Buffalo’s AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, with a single NHL game on November 16, 2022, against the Sabres. After being recalled by Chicago, he posted 2 goals and 8 points in 13 games to close out the year.
Rockford IceHogs and Milwaukee Admirals (2023–2025)
As a free agent following his time with the Blackhawks, Bjork was unable to secure a new NHL contract. He opted to stay within the Blackhawks organization, signing a one-year AHL contract with the Rockford IceHogs on August 10, 2023. He spent that season at the AHL level before becoming an unsigned free agent.
Leading into the 2024–25 season, Bjork remained unsigned. At the midpoint of the year, he agreed to a professional tryout, or PTO, and joined the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL on January 12, 2025. The Admirals are the primary affiliate of the Nashville Predators, and the signing gave Bjork a platform to continue his career at the top minor-pro level.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the left wing, Anders Bjork is best known for his two-way reliability, skating pace, and ability to contribute offensively without sacrificing defensive responsibility. His development through the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and a top Hockey East program shaped him into a detail-oriented winger who can play in all situations, whether at even strength, on the penalty kill, or contributing secondary scoring on the power play.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bjork’s most memorable early moment came on opening night of the 2017–18 NHL season, when he recorded his first NHL point on Jake DeBrusk’s milestone goal against the Nashville Predators. His first NHL goal followed days later against the Arizona Coyotes, and his Hobey Baker finalist season at Notre Dame the prior spring remains a defining accomplishment of his career.
Anders Patrick Bjork Career Wins
Anders Bjork’s win totals vary by league and season, with his most significant recognition coming at the collegiate level rather than in NHL or AHL championship play. His Hobey Baker finalist recognition, Hockey East First-Team All-Star selection, and co-winning of the Hockey East Three-Stars Award in 2016–17 stand as his most decorated individual achievements.
Hockey East and College Highlights
Bjork closed his three-year run at Notre Dame as one of the most honored players in the Hockey East conference. In 2016–17, he was named a Hockey East First-Team All-Star, was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, and shared the Hockey East Three-Stars Award, honors that marked him among the top college players in the country.
Other Wins and Performances
At the professional level, Bjork recorded his first NHL goal with the Boston Bruins, opened his NHL career with a multi-point debut, and contributed consistently at both the NHL and AHL levels with the Bruins, Sabres, Blackhawks, Rochester Americans, Rockford IceHogs, and Milwaukee Admirals organizations.
Anders Patrick Bjork Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in Anders Bjork’s family. His father, Kirt Bjork, played hockey at the University of Notre Dame, and both of his parents, Kirt and Patricia, are of Swedish descent and attended Notre Dame. His sisters, Brinya and Keali, also attended the school, and his cousin, Erik Condra, is a Notre Dame alum and professional hockey player.
Personal Life
Anders has a younger brother, Brady, who has committed to play hockey at the University of Notre Dame, continuing the family’s long association with the Fighting Irish program. Anders himself studied in Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business during his time as a student-athlete, balancing his academic workload with a full college hockey schedule.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 calendar year, Anders Bjork remained an unrestricted free agent after spending the previous AHL season with the Rockford IceHogs. His status changed on January 12, 2025, when he agreed to a professional tryout and joined the Milwaukee Admirals, the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators.
The midseason signing gave Bjork a new opportunity to showcase his game at the top minor-professional level and to position himself for a potential NHL return. Playing within the Nashville organization offered him a fresh start and a chance to build momentum during the second half of the 2024–25 AHL campaign.
With the Milwaukee Admirals, Bjork slotted in as a left winger capable of contributing offensively while providing veteran stability on a roster filled with Nashville prospects. His experience, two-way play, and pedigree as a Hobey Baker finalist made him a useful addition as the Admirals pushed through the back half of their schedule.