Oliver Bjorkstrand is playing in his hometown of Herning.
photo: Matt Zambonin / HHOF-IIHF Images
For Oliver Bjorkstrand, the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is a homecoming. The Danish forward is not only playing in his home country, on home ice, but in his hometown. The Herning native is playing in front of family and friends and enjoying the experience. This is his second time representing Denmark at a World Championship and certainly the most meaningful.
We could never imagine an Ice Hockey World Championship here growing up, so this is awesome.
“I hope we are able to get some wins for Denmark and the home fans who come out to see us,” he added.
Denmark won their thrilling opener against Germany at Jyske Bank Boxen but have not fared the same against the United States and Canada. They are hoping for a reversal of fortune in the remaining games to stay in the hunt for a quarter-final berth next week.
“It was difficult to play against the United States and Canada; those are both very good teams,” Bjorkstrand said. “They controlled a lot of the games we played, but you try to do what you can do and hope for a good result in the end.”
Bjorkstrand is another in the wave of Danish players whose talents have taken them beyond their country. This group of players now call North America home, in particular the NHL. Bjorkstrand is one of five NHL players in the line-up and seven in all from North America.
Denmark won their thrilling opener against Germany at Jyske Bank Boxen but have not fared the same against the United States and Canada. They are hoping for a reversal of fortune in the remaining games to stay in the hunt for a quarter-final berth next week.
“It was difficult to play against the United States and Canada; those are both very good teams,” Bjorkstrand said. “They controlled a lot of the games we played, but you try to do what you can do and hope for a good result in the end.”
Bjorkstrand is another in the wave of Danish players whose talents have taken them beyond their country. This group of players now call North America home, in particular the NHL. Bjorkstrand is one of five NHL players in the line-up and seven in all from North America.
Oliver Bjorkstrand Best Plays
Bjorkstrand completed his first full season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played all 82 games, which is a feat for any player considering the daily grind of an NHL season.
“There are always bumps and bruises but I was pretty healthy all year. I think you have to get a little bit lucky sometimes to get those seasons.”
Bjorkstrand scored 11 goals and 29 assists and at 23 years old there is a lot of potential for greater upside. As a junior player for the WHL’s Portland Winter Hawks, Bjorkstrand scored 50 and 63 goals, respectively, in his final two seasons with the club. In his first professional campaign, he scored 17 goals in 51 games for the Lake Erie Monsters. That season culminated in Bjorkstrand scoring the game winning goal in overtime of Game Four of AHL championship finals series to give his team the Calder Cup.
Against Canada, Denmark faced a tough and talented opponent and Bjorkstrand went up against his Columbus teammates Pierre Luc Dubois and Ryan Murray. When the game was over and Dubois was being interviewed by a reporter, Bjorkstrand walked past and gave him a playful tap and the two shared a quick laugh.
It is, perhaps, what makes the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship so unique that regular allies become friendly adversaries when proudly representing their country.
“It is a fun tournament that way when playing against guys you know well,” Bjorkstrand said. “That’s the nature of competition.”
“There are always bumps and bruises but I was pretty healthy all year. I think you have to get a little bit lucky sometimes to get those seasons.”
Bjorkstrand scored 11 goals and 29 assists and at 23 years old there is a lot of potential for greater upside. As a junior player for the WHL’s Portland Winter Hawks, Bjorkstrand scored 50 and 63 goals, respectively, in his final two seasons with the club. In his first professional campaign, he scored 17 goals in 51 games for the Lake Erie Monsters. That season culminated in Bjorkstrand scoring the game winning goal in overtime of Game Four of AHL championship finals series to give his team the Calder Cup.
Against Canada, Denmark faced a tough and talented opponent and Bjorkstrand went up against his Columbus teammates Pierre Luc Dubois and Ryan Murray. When the game was over and Dubois was being interviewed by a reporter, Bjorkstrand walked past and gave him a playful tap and the two shared a quick laugh.
It is, perhaps, what makes the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship so unique that regular allies become friendly adversaries when proudly representing their country.
“It is a fun tournament that way when playing against guys you know well,” Bjorkstrand said. “That’s the nature of competition.”