It was no surprise when Bjork, a left wing, opted to continue his hockey career at Notre Dame after spending two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program. His parents and two sisters are Notre Dame alums, and his father, Kirt, played hockey there.

By the time he stepped onto the ice for the Fighting Irish, the Mequon, Wisconsin, native had been selected by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round (No. 146) in the 2014 NHL Draft. He grew into one of the top players in the NCAA during his three seasons at Notre Dame and was a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in 2017 after finishing with 52 points (21 goals, 31 assists) in 39 games.

The Bruins signed Bjork to a three-year, entry-level contract on May 30, 2017, and he earned a spot on the roster at training camp. Bjork was credited with his first NHL point, an assist, in his debut against the Nashville Predators on Oct. 5, 2017, and scored his first NHL goal against the Arizona Coyotes on Oct. 14.

There's no doubt he has the speed and the skill to succeed in the NHL, but his biggest problem could be finding a place in the Bruins' glut of talented young forwards.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• Hockey East Second All-Star Team (2016)
• Hockey East First All-Star Team (2017)
• NCAA East Second All-American Team (2017)
• Traded to Buffalo by Boston with a 2nd-round pick in 2021 NHL Draft for Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar, April 12, 2021.
• Traded to Chicago by Buffalo for future considerations, March 2, 2023.