Why the Winnipeg Jets are so excited about Viggo Björck

On Friday, June 26, the hockey world was buzzing with excitement for the NHL Draft in Buffalo. We were doing a live Illegal Curve Hockey watch party at Canada Life Centre and had been speaking with 2025 first-round pick Sascha Boumedienne minutes before the Jets were set to make their selection eighth overall. He kept peering up at the Jumbotron, watching to see if his good friend and fellow countryman Viggo Björck got picked, telling us, “I’ve known Viggo since we were very young and our dads played together, so excited to see him get picked.”

When it came time for the Jets to make their selection, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, “The Winnipeg Jets select from Djurgårdens, Viggo Björck.”

While we unfortunately didn’t catch Sascha’s reaction live on our show, we were told by 2025 third-rounder (and Oakbank product) Owen Martin, who came on later that night, that Sascha was “jumping for joy” and added that Boumedienne claimed Björck could be the next Sidney Crosby.

The excitement only seemed to increase when we heard from Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, who had actually interrupted the start of Björck’s media availability with local Winnipeg media to share some words with him about something the two had spoken about at the Draft Combine the week prior. His first comment explained why the Jets believed Björck was the right player with the eighth overall pick.

“Viggo’s a special player. Just a real special talent. The things that jump off the page are, first and foremost, his compete. He’s one of those guys, when you go to scout him and you watch him play, you become a fan. You’re not a scout anymore; you’re watching it, you’re entertained. You’re wondering who this player is that the puck is on his stick all the time. Making dynamic plays. Always in the right spot defensively. Just an exciting player.”

Across the hockey world, folks were talking about the Swedish sensation whose only drawback, to some, is his size. But those who scouted him don’t seem to think that is going to be an issue for a player who was already competing against men in the Swedish Hockey League. TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button said on draft night, “He beats you up with his brain,” while Sportsnet prospect analyst Jason Bukala added, “He’s short. He doesn’t play small….He’s something special. There’s something about this guy. This is an elite pick for the Winnipeg Jets. I definitely know Mark Hillier is dancing a jig in their war room.”

Speaking of Jets Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Hillier, we heard from him after the conclusion of Day 2 of the Draft and, quite honestly, in all my years covering the team, I’ve never heard him so effusive about a selection.

“I have to be honest. He’s one of the most exciting draft picks I’ve ever had.”

It’s rare to hear Hillier speak that emphatically about a prospect. Scouts are generally measured in their praise, especially immediately after the draft.

But Hillier wasn’t finished. He went on to call Björck “the smartest player in the draft this year” and “one of the smartest players I’ve scouted,” emphasizing that while his height is often discussed, it has never been a concern inside the Jets’ scouting room.

“I call him short but I don’t call him small. He doesn’t play small.”

Hillier explained that Björck consistently wins puck battles, uses his reach effectively and, more than anything, possesses elite hockey sense.

“He comes out of corners with pucks, uses a long stick, he’s got good skill, he’s a good skater but his hockey sense is off the charts. He’s just a kid that naturally knows positioning. He’s always in the right position in all three zones. Good stick position.”

Hillier then offered an example from the scouting process that, in his mind, illustrated exactly why the Jets became convinced Björck was their player.

That example came at the World Junior Championship, where Björck, just 17 years old, was entrusted with a massive workload in Sweden’s gold medal game.

“We were on him from the start but we get to him at the World Junior and the gold medal game as a 17-year old centre, plays 28 minutes in the game and he’s the best player, by far and they win a gold medal. Pretty impressive performance.”

But it wasn’t one tournament that sold Hillier. Wanting another look before the draft, he made an additional scouting trip to Sweden in March. What he saw only reinforced the Jets’ belief.

“I added an extra trip after February tournaments to go back and see him and some other players in March. Watching an SHL game where he’s the youngest player in the game and he’s the best player in the game. Not in one area. He’s the best defensive, offensive player in that type of game, he was the best penalty killer.”

Hillier said Björck’s performance at the World Championship only strengthened that conviction.

“Then the World Championship, you think, an 18-year old kid makes the team what an accomplishment in Sweden. But he didn’t just make the team. He was the first line centre. He was first power play. First penalty kill. Took important draws with a minute left in the game.”

After two days of hearing about Björck, folks in Winnipeg finally got exposed to Viggomania when Development Camp got underway, and it quickly became evident that Björck is a special talent. During Friday’s scrimmage, just 30 seconds of watching him skate had the internet fired up.

The reaction from those watching Björck in Winnipeg mirrored what the Jets had been saying since draft night: when he has the puck on his stick, people want to see what happens next.

Cheveldayoff summed up that feeling when discussing Björck’s time at Development Camp and what he did during Friday’s scrimmage.

“You become a fan. I think all of you probably saw that there when he’s got the puck on his stick you want to watch and see what happens next. It’s an exciting start to a real good relationship and we were so fortunate to draft him in the position that we did and it’s going to be a great thing for the Jets moving forward.”

That excitement has naturally led to questions about just how quickly Björck could make an impact, including whether he could push for an NHL roster spot as soon as next season given Winnipeg’s need for a second-line centre.

“Oh, I think he’s got a chance.” That was how Mark Hillier began his response when asked if Björck is ready for the NHL next season. He continued, “Now it’s up to him. I think we drafted him keeping an open mind that he’s going to be given an opportunity….if he signs, he’s given an opportunity, he’s gonna make it really hard not to play.”

Björck himself was asked on the first day of Development Camp about his mindset to earn an NHL job for this upcoming season.

“That would be super cool. We haven’t really decided if I’m going back to Sweden or those decisions but, I mean, everyone wants to play in the NHL, but we’ll see.”

Regardless of whether he is in Winnipeg or back in Sweden next season, one thing is abundantly clear: the Jets believe they have a very special player in Viggo Björck, and after hearing from those who scouted him and seeing him in person, it’s easy to understand why.