Bjorkqvist opts to play in Finland
Forward was a second-round pick of the Penguins in the 2016 draft
Kasper Bjorkqvist, a 24year-old forward expected to be in the mix for an NHL roster spot at Penguins training camp, instead will take his talents to Finland.
Karpat, his new team in the top professional league in his home country of Finland, announced Tuesday that Bjorkqvist had signed a two-year contract.
In statements published on the team’s website, Bjorkqvist made no mention about why he opted to leave North America, saying only that he was disappointed with how he performed with WilkesBarre/ Scranton of the American Hockey League.
The Penguins picked Bjorkqvist, a power forward who would play at Providence College, in the second round of the 2016 draft. Injuries were obstacles in his path to the NHL. He also played for KooKoo in the Liiga, the Finish pro league, during the pandemic. He returned to North America late in the 2020-21 season.
Bjorkqvist made his NHL debut in January at PPG Paints Arena, burying his first career goal that day. It was one of six NHL games he played in in the past season. He spent most of the season in the AHL, posting just 12 points in 54 games.
Despite those underwhelming scoring statistics, general manager Ron Hextall after the season listed him among a few Wilkes- Barre/ Scranton players whom the Penguins expected to compete for a roster spot this fall. Bjorkqvist, with his physicality and responsible twoway game, was a candidate for their fourth line.
Instead, the restricted free agent will spend the next two seasons in Finland.
The Penguins can extend Bjorkqvist a qualifying offer to retain his NHL rights.