Anders Bjork expected to be ready for start of training camp
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 11: Anders Bjork #10 of the Boston Bruins plays the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on October 11, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
Bruins winger Anders Bjork has become an often forgotten man in the organization.
Limited to just 50 total NHL games since making the jump from Notre Dame to the pros two years ago — and with just 72 games of professional experience in all between Boston and Providence since signing with the Bruins after a run to the National Championship game in 2017 — Bjork has essentially been out of sight, out of mind for the Black and Gold.
That seemed especially true in a 2018-19 season that saw Bjork demoted down to Providence after a Nov. 26 loss to the Maple Leafs, and with Bjork undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery less than two months later. It was Bjork’s second professional season ended by shoulder surgery, and in as many seasons no less. At this point, Bjork is essentially starting from square one, which is not exactly the best scenario to find yourself in when skating for a win-now team like the Bruins.
But the Bruins expect the 22-year-old back and ready to go for the start of the 2019-20 season.
“Anders is doing really well from a recovery standpoint, had his shoulder, the same shoulder, done again, but has taken the necessary time,” said Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. “Saw him a couple weeks ago, he’ll be full bore.
“He’s missed a lot of hockey, so he has to reclaim his ability to play wherever, in our lineup or work his way into our lineup at some point in time like he was doing last year from Providence. But he’ll be fine, health-wise.”
The good news for Bjork is that there’s no shortage of potential openings for the left-shot winger in 2019-20. Especially if the Bruins are unable to retain pending unrestricted free agent Marcus Johansson or if the Bruins give serious consideration to moving David Pastrnak off a line with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.
Bjork, who totaled one goal and three points in 20 games last year, has five goals and 15 points in 50 NHL games.
