{ "blocks": [ { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Swedish defenseman Marcus Björk spent the past two seasons under contract with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. He played 33 games with the Jackets in 2022-23, but spent much of last season injured. When he did play, it was with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "After the playoffs – in which Cleveland lost in seven games in the Eastern Conference final to the Hershey Bears – Björk opted for back surgery. That’s kept out of action until now, but although his rehab has gone slower than originally hoped, he now feels that a return to action is just around the corner. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "“It’ll be another two more weeks before I’m allowed to play in any games, but I’m already able do everything on the ice and I feel like I could already play now,” he said in an interivew with Swedish media outlet Västerbottens-Kuriren. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "For the past two weeks, Björk has been practising in Stockholm with the top junior team of pro club AIK." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "“It’s been really fun to get back on the ice while I focus a lot on getting my strength back,” he said. “The specialists after my surgery are in Stockholm, so I want them close at hand. That first practise it was incredibly fun to get a feel for hitting and game situations.” " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "A big defenseman, Björk feels his style of play is well-suited to the North American game and he’d like an opportunity to get back there. There’s always a market for a right-shooting d-man. As an example, media in Vancouver speculated just over a year ago about the possibility of the Canucks claiming him off waivers, and that team’s bottom-four situation is more perilous than it was a year ago. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "However, having not played an NHL game in 19 months or a competitive game of any kind in close to six months, Sweden is probably his more likely landing spot for the remainder of this season, at least. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Björk has played in the SHL with Brynäs IF, the Malmö Redhawks and Örebro HK, but frankly, any team in the league could potentially show interest in him. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Coincidentally, AIK – the club where he is currently training – is also where younger brother Christoffer, a center, currently plays in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier pro league. In October, HockeyNews.se reported that Christoffer was trying to lure Marcus into playing for the team and the club is clearly interested – hence the invitation to help with rehab." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "“I don’t know what options he has, but it’s stupid not to show interest,” said AIK sports director Niklas Persson. “He’s a good defenseman and if he wants to, he knows where we stand.”" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": " Still just 26, time is still on Björk’s side and he wants what’s best for his career." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "“I still want to develop as a hockey player and become even better and play as high up as possible,” he said." } } ] }

Swedish D-man Signs 2-Year Deal In Switzerland To Start Next Season

Swedish Ex-Columbus D-Man Attempting Comeback