Jets see more than talent in Bjorck

Selecting in the top 10 of the NHL Draft for the first time in 10 years, the Winnipeg Jets chose Swedish centre Viggo Bjorck.

The 18-year-old represented Sweden at both the World Juniors and World Championship this past season, becoming the youngest player in Swedish history to compete at the Worlds. Now, he has another milestone to add to an already impressive résumé—being selected eighth overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2026 NHL Draft.

“Super special, I mean, you grew up playing hockey, and like getting to the NHL is your dream, and I think this is a good step on the way,” said Bjorck.

“So, yeah, super, super excited.”

Bjorck wasn’t the only one excited on this night, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was beaming after the first round wrapped up.

“The things that jump off the page are first and foremost, his compete, and he's one of those guys when you go to scout him and you watch him play, and you become a fan, like you're not a scout anymore,” said Cheveldayoff.

"You're watching, you're entertained, you're wondering who this player is that the puck is on his stick all the time, making dynamic plays, always in the right spot defensively, just an exciting player.”

Cheveldayoff made it clear that it wasn't just Bjorck's play on the ice that stood out. The Jets were equally impressed by the person behind the player, with the young Swede leaving a lasting impression during his interview at the NHL Scouting Combine.

“You're interviewing 60 to 70 players, and they just kind of mesh one into the other. Sometimes you got to make sure you're taking the proper notes, so that you don't forget the interview,” said Cheveldayoff.

“Just a real infectious personality, really confident, really humble.”

Sure, some scouts and fans will point to his 5-foot-9 or 5-foot-10 frame. But Bjorck has spent his entire career proving size isn't everything, relying on his hockey smarts and relentless compete level. That competitive fire was sparked in countless battles with his brother growing up.

“Yeah, no one wants to lose. If you lose, you don't get the bragging rights in front of your parents,” said Bjorck.

“And yeah, being out there, a couple of years, we had like ice in the backyard and went head-to-head there. So yeah, it's been some tough battles, but I think that shaped you as well as a player and as a person.”

Scouts and teams are not the only ones that have noticed the Stockholm product, one of the greatest players ever to step on the ice Sidney Crosby also became a fan of Bjorck’s game when Canada and Sweden met in the first game at Worlds.

“Yeah no, he’s pretty poised and you can tell he’s competitive,” said Crosby back in May.

“He’s not the biggest guy but sees the ice well, good shot, he does everything well, but it was more just the way he competed.”

If the words of the Jets' GM aren't enough to sell you on the kid, maybe the praise from the Penguins' captain will get you even more excited to see Bjorck when he arrives for development camp next week.