Finnish prospect eyes changes
overall in 2016.
He had three goals and six assists in his first season with Providence, hardly the output you would expect from a second-round pick. He was coming off 66 points in 45 games for the Blues’ U20 team in Finland. Even though the NCAA presented a new style of hockey, a production dropoff that steep was unexpected — for onlookers, yes, but also for Bjorkqvist.
“I was expecting to do more, to score more points, and be a bigger contributor for the team,” he said. “At the same time, I also think I helped the team at some points, and I learned a lot, and that’s what I have to take forward next year. Try to be more productive, but, at the same time, try to play the same good defensive game.”
Of course, players come to the United States from overseas all the time, and many still find success. There’s no reason Bjorkqvist couldn’t have excelled. That said, it’s also not a damning indictment that a 19-year-old posted soso numbers in his first season away from home. He called it a great learning experience, which is why you go to college.
This season, though, should be more telling. After a year to adjust to less space on the ice, more eyes will be on Bjorkqvist to gauge his progress.
Whether or not Bjorkqvist feels pressure to perform, it will exist just by virtue of his draft status. The Penguins haven’t been holding onto their firstround picks in recent years, so — perhaps unfairly — second-rounders can be saddled with extra expectations. That’s something he’ll probably have to confront.
Friday, though, he stood in the team’s Cranberry locker room and said something that hinted his adjustment process might be coming along. He had traveled to the team’s development camp this week from Finland, a long flight befitting a world of difference.
“But to be honest, I haven’t really suffered from jetlag,” he said.”
So maybe I’m getting used to coming over and going back.”