Marcus Bjork isn’t included on Wikipedia’s list of “notable people” from Umea, a city of 130,000 in Northern Sweden known for its two universities, stunning views of the Northern Lights, hardcore metal bands and a handful of NHL players.
The only active NHL player listed is New York Islanders defenseman Sebastian Aho, which makes a perfect footnote to Bjork’s unlikely journey from Umea to Columbus, where the 24-year old Blue Jackets rookie is now a top-six defensemen after a slew of injuries.
By necessity, Bjork is even quarterbacking the Jackets’ top power-play unit starring Johnny Gaudreau.
“It’s my dream come true,” Bjork said, prior to scoring his first NHL goal during his debut in a 4-3 overtime loss to Aho and the Islanders on Nov. 12 in New York. “That is why I came over from Sweden.”
It’s time to update the list. Umea has another “notable person” to claim.
Bjork undeterred by slim odds of playing for Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets announced May 5 that Bjork signed a one-year entry-level contract as a free agent from Brynas of the Swedish Hockey League, where he spent the past four years playing for three different teams.
That added his name to the Blue Jackets’ organizational depth chart, but not high up the list. The Jackets have added a lot of young defensemen the past three years, so Bjork was viewed mainly as blue-line depth for the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League.
He saw things differently.
“I like to compete,” Bjork said at the Jackets’ development camp in July. “That is why I’m here. It’s been a long journey for me to get here and I enjoy every minute.”
He paused a beat, taking in his surroundings.
“I want to earn a spot with the NHL team,” Bjork said. “I’m not going to come here and just look around and be happy. I’m here to compete. It’s going to be hard. It’s good players here, but I’m going to put in a lot of hard work and be ready.”
Asked about going to the AHL with the Monsters instead, he didn’t flinch.
“The goal is NHL,” Bjork said. “That is why I’m here. But if I don’t get there right away? Just keep the head down, compete and keep working to get better every day. Then maybe the chance comes.”
Columbus Blue Jackets leaning on Marcus Bjork amid injury glut
The number of Columbus defensemen who’ve been sidelined already is jarring. Adam Boqvist is out for more than three weeks with a broken foot, Zach Werenski has a torn labrum, Nick Blankenburg has a fractured ankle and Jake Bean is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury.
That’s four of the seven defensemen who broke camp with the Blue Jackets in October. That’s also why fans in Columbus have a new ‘Bjorky,’ in town. Unlike the Blue Jackets’ original ‘Bjorky,’ a wiry Danish forward traded to the Seattle Kraken (Oliver Bjorkstrand), this one is a big, hard-hitting Swedish defenseman with a strong slap shot.
Prior to a back-to-back this weekend against the Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers, Bjork had already made a good impression.
“He’s very poised,” said Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen. “He’s one speed … and that’s not a degrading thing. There’s no panic when there’s a mistake, is what I like. He just settles in, gets back to structure and he’s strong.”
He’s also in Columbus, playing in the NHL on his way to becoming the Umea’s newest notable person.
“It’s a boy’s dream when you get the call,” Bjork said. “I think it surprised a lot of people, but not for me. I trust myself, I believe in myself and I’m thankful to all the guys who believed in me and all the people.”