Anders Bjork Bio
Anders Patrick Bjork is an American professional ice hockey left winger and an unrestricted free agent. Born August 5, 1996, in Mequon, Wisconsin, Bjork has played at the collegiate level for the University of Notre Dame and at the professional level in both the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, including stints with the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks organizations and most recently the Milwaukee Admirals.
Early Life and Background
Anders Patrick Bjork was born in Mequon, Wisconsin, and grew up in a family with strong hockey ties. His father, Kirt Bjork, played hockey at the University of Notre Dame; his mother is Patricia Bjork. Several family members, including sisters and a cousin, also attended Notre Dame, underscoring a family connection to the school.
Bjork moved to Ann Arbor to play for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and attended Pioneer High School prior to college. He enrolled at the Mendoza College of Business while at the University of Notre Dame, where he combined academic study with a rising hockey profile.
Path to Hockey
Bjork developed through the USA Hockey National Team Development Program before committing to the University of Notre Dame, where he played in Hockey East from 2014 to 2017. His collegiate play drew NHL attention and led to his selection in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
The Boston Bruins selected Bjork 146th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. After three seasons with Notre Dame, and recognition among the nation’s top collegiate players, he signed an entry-level contract that launched his professional career.
Anders Bjork Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Bjork played three seasons of collegiate hockey at the University of Notre Dame, competing in Hockey East from 2014 through 2017. In the 2016–17 season he was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, named a Hockey East First-Team All-Star, and was a co-winner of the Hockey East Three-Stars Award, marking him among the top players in college hockey that year.
Following his junior season, Bjork signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins on May 30, 2017, forgoing his senior year at Notre Dame to begin his professional career. The move transitioned him from collegiate competition to the NHL environment with the Bruins organization.
Boston Bruins Breakthrough (2017–2021)
Anders Bjork made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins in the 2017–18 season opener, recording his first NHL point by assisting on Jake DeBrusk’s first NHL goal. He scored his first NHL goal in his fourth game, contributing to a 6–2 win over the Arizona Coyotes, and established himself as a depth forward during his early professional seasons.
Bjork’s tenure with the Bruins included development between the NHL roster and the organization’s minor league affiliates as he adjusted to the professional game. His rookie season was interrupted by a season-ending left shoulder injury in January 2018 that required arthroscopic labral repair and a multi-month recovery.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2021–2023)
On April 11, 2021, the Boston Bruins traded Anders Bjork to the Buffalo Sabres along with a second-round draft pick in exchange for Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar. The trade came during the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, after Bjork had collected two goals and five points through 30 regular-season games that year.
During his time in the Sabres organization Bjork split time between Buffalo and its AHL affiliate. The latter portion of his tenure saw extended play with the Rochester Americans while opportunities at the NHL level were limited.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2023)
On March 2, 2023, Bjork was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for future considerations. At the time of the trade he had spent the season primarily in the AHL, appearing in one NHL game for Buffalo earlier in the season; after being recalled by Chicago he played the remainder of that NHL season with the Blackhawks, recording two goals and eight points in 13 appearances.
Following the 2022–23 season Bjork remained a free agent at the NHL level and sought opportunities to continue his professional career, ultimately returning to AHL competition to maintain playing time and pursue a path back to the NHL level.
AHL and Milwaukee Admirals Era (2023–Present)
As a free agent unable to secure an NHL contract, Bjork signed a one-year AHL contract with the Rockford IceHogs, the Chicago Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, on August 10, 2023. That signaled a shift to focus on steady professional minutes in the AHL following several seasons moving between leagues and organizations.
Known information indicates Bjork most recently joined the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League; records show he agreed to a professional tryout to join the Admirals in January 2025. He entered that stint seeking to re-establish his play at the AHL level and provide veteran depth for the affiliate of the Nashville Predators.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bjork plays on the left wing and shoots left. He is known for his college-era scoring instincts, compete level, and ability to play a two-way game. His size and skating combine with a willingness to engage defensively, making him a versatile option in middle-six forward roles and special-teams coverage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Notable milestones in Bjork’s career include his first NHL point and first NHL goal early in the 2017–18 season, his Hobey Baker Award finalist selection in 2017, and his trade to the Buffalo Sabres in 2021 as part of a deal for Taylor Hall. A significant early professional setback was a season-ending shoulder injury in January 2018 that required surgical repair.
Anders Bjork Career Wins
Bjork’s career highlights include collegiate awards and early NHL scoring milestones rather than a single cumulative wins tally. His first NHL goal came in the fourth game of his debut season, and his college achievements include All-Star recognition and national award finalist status.
NHL Highlights
Key NHL moments that can be verified include Bjork’s NHL debut in the Bruins’ 2017–18 season opener where he recorded his first NHL point, and his first NHL goal against the Arizona Coyotes in that same opening stretch. He recorded two goals and eight points over 13 appearances with the Chicago Blackhawks following his March 2023 trade to the team.
Other Wins & Perfromances
At the University of Notre Dame Bjork was a Hobey Baker Award finalist for the 2016–17 season, a Hockey East First-Team All-Star, and a co-winner of the Hockey East Three-Stars Award. Those collegiate honors are among his most notable individual achievements to date.
Anders Bjork Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Bjork comes from a family with deep ties to Notre Dame and collegiate hockey. His father, Kirt Bjork, played hockey at Notre Dame, and other family members, including sisters and a cousin, attended the university. Cousin Erik Condra also played at Notre Dame and has a professional hockey background.
Personal Life
Bjork attended Pioneer High School while playing for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program before enrolling at the University of Notre Dame. While at Notre Dame he studied at the Mendoza College of Business. Public records list no spouse or children as of the latest available information.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season Bjork remained a professional free agent before joining the Milwaukee Admirals on a professional tryout in January 2025, seeking to earn playing time and reassert his value at the AHL level. The move reflected a strategy to regain consistent minutes, contribute veteran depth, and position himself for potential NHL consideration should opportunities arise.
His outlook for the season centered on on-ice performance, defensive responsibility, and leveraging prior NHL experience to help an AHL lineup while pursuing a return to the NHL ranks. Continued professional play in the AHL represents a clear path to maintain form and visibility with NHL organizations.