History of Oliver Bjorkstrand in Timeline
Oliver Bjorkstrand is a Danish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL. Drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2013, Bjorkstrand has established himself as a skilled player in the league. He comes from a hockey family; his father, Todd, is an American hockey coach, and he has a brother named Patrick.
1987: Back-to-Back 50 goal seasons
Bjorkstrand became the first Winterhawk to complete back-to-back 50-goal seasons since Dennis Holland from 1987-89.
April 1995: Oliver Bjorkstrand Born
In April 1995, Oliver Bjorkstrand was born, who is a Danish professional ice hockey forward.
2011: AL-Bank Ligaen Debut
In 2011, Bjorkstrand debuted in the AL-Bank Ligaen with the Herning Blue Fox.
2012: Selected by Portland Winterhawks
In 2012, Bjorkstrand was selected 26th overall by the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League (WHL) Import Draft.
December 2013: Signed with Columbus Blue Jackets
In December 2013, Bjorkstrand signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
2013: NHL Draft Prospect
In 2013, Bjorkstrand earned a top 30 mid-term ranking from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau leading up to the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
March 2014: Reached 50-Goal Plateau
By March 2014, Bjorkstrand reached the 50-goal plateau, becoming the second Winterhawk player in three seasons to do so.
2014: WHL Leading Scorer
During the 2014-15 season, Bjorkstrand led all WHL players in goals and points to earn the Bob Clarke Trophy as the league's leading scorer.
March 2016: NHL Debut
On March 16, 2016, Bjorkstrand was recalled to the NHL and made his debut the following day against the Detroit Red Wings.
February 2017: Return to NHL Level
In February 2017, Bjorkstrand returned to the NHL level and recorded 13 points in 26 games.
April 2017: Return to Lineup
On April 4, 2017, Bjorkstrand returned to the lineup after being sidelined due to a hit.
July 2018: Contract Extension
On July 15, 2018, Bjorkstrand signed a three-year contract extension through the 2020-21 season.
November 2018: Returned to Lineup
On November 29, 2018, head coach John Tortorella returned Bjorkstrand to the lineup after being a healthy scratch.
2018: Played at the 2018 IIHF World Championship
In 2018, Oliver Bjorkstrand represented Denmark at the IIHF World Championship, where the team won against Germany, Finland, Norway, and South Korea but ultimately missed the quarter-finals after losing to Latvia.
December 2019: Injured Reserve
In December 2019, Bjorkstrand was placed on injured reserve.
2020: Playoff Goal
In 2020, During the first round against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Bjorkstrand tallied his first goal of the postseason.
January 2021: Contract Extension
On January 6, 2021, Bjorkstrand signed a five-year, $27 million contract extension with the Blue Jackets. On January 18, 2021, he scored his first goal of the season against the Detroit Red Wings and added an assist and a fight for a Gordie Howe hat trick.
October 2021: Named to Team Denmark's Olympic Hockey Team
In October 2021, Oliver Bjorkstrand was selected as part of Team Denmark's first-ever Olympic hockey team for the 2022 Winter Olympics, expressing his excitement and determination to perform well.
2021: Alternate Captain
Prior to the start of the 2021-22 season, Bjorkstrand was named an alternate captain for the team.
2022: Participated in the 2022 Winter Olympics
Oliver Bjorkstrand participated in the 2022 Winter Olympics as a member of Team Denmark's first-ever Olympic hockey team.
January 2023: New Linemate
In early January 2023, Bjorkstrand and Gourde gained Eeli Tolvanen as their new linemate following his acquisition through waivers from the Nashville Predators.
2023: Stanley Cup Playoffs
In 2023, The Kraken qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs, the first postseason appearance in franchise history.
