Viggo Bjorck – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

Viggo Bjorck

2025-26 Team: Djurgardens IF (SHL & U20 Nationell)
Date of Birth: March 12, 2008
Place of Birth: Stockholm, Sweden
Ht: 5-foot-10 Wt: 172 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: Center/Right Wing
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Rankings

Viggo Bjorck started his draft year very underrated by NHL Central Scouting, as they placed him in the “B” category in their initial players to watch ranking. Basically, at that point, they expected him to be selected in the second or third round, not the first. Fast forward to their mid-term rankings, and he is now firmly in the first round, ranked fifth amongst international skaters. Why the big jump? While he didn’t deserve his initial “B” rating in the first place, his play at the 2026 World Juniors made it impossible for them to leave him anywhere but the first round.

Related: THW’s 2026 NHL Draft Guide

Bjorck not only played a regular shift on Team Sweden’s eventual gold-medal-winning squad, but he also produced like a top-six forward and was a key faceoff man and penalty killer for head coach Magnus Hävelid. He finished with three goals and nine points in seven games and was noticeable almost every time he was on the ice. His best outing came in the semifinal against their rivals, the Finns. His speed and skill were on full display in the three-on-three overtime, as he had multiple breakaways and chances to end it. Anton Frondell was the hero in the shootout, but Bjorck put himself on the map with his dynamic performance in OT.

Outside of international competition, Bjorck has thrived as well. After breaking records in the J18 and J20 leagues as a 15 and 18-year-old, respectively, he has stepped into the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and not looked out of place with Djurgardens IF, playing 20 minutes a night in all situations. He has six goals and 15 points in 42 games so far, and has garnered a lot of praise from his teammates for his maturity and poise.

He seems to figure most things out himself. We’re happy to have him… Both as a person and a player, he is very smart and mature in his game. All this skill – passing, driving, shooting, everyone sees that he can do it, but he usually makes the right decisions out there and even outside, he is a guy who has his eye on things.

– Former NHLer and Djurgardens teammate Marcus Kruger

New York Islanders prospect Victor Eklund echoed those same sentiments during the World Juniors, saying he was more mature than him:

He’s one of the most mature guys I’ve ever met, even though he’s 17. I would say more mature than me, to be honest, both on the ice and off the ice. He plays huge. He plays mature, he does what takes to win.

When it comes to Bjorck’s other strengths, his hockey IQ, vision and playmaking are the biggest things scouts point out. As a center, those are invaluable to have in your arsenal when it comes to making it to the NHL. Like most undersized players, his work ethic, motor and competitiveness are also strong suits of his game, along with being strong on his skates and a willingness to get involved in the dirty areas of the ice. His shot is described as accurate and deceptive, which has shown itself regularly on the power play. He is also exceptional defensively and a great penalty killer.

As for weaknesses, people are always going to point to Bjorck’s size. But, considering his motor, intelligence, strength and agility, that shouldn’t be a concern moving forward. Scouts have also noted his lack of breakaway speed and tendency to do too much with the puck as other areas that he needs to work on.

Overall, Bjorck’s strengths outweigh his weaknesses, and any team that fixates on his size as a reason not to draft him will most likely regret it, as they have with other undersized forwards like Cole Caufield, Logan Stankoven, Marco Rossi, Zach Benson, and Ben Kindel in the past.

Other THW Draft Profiles

Viggo Bjorck – NHL Draft Projection

After his performance at the 2026 World Juniors, Bjorck’s stock has risen to the top 10. Most rankings have him between seventh and 10th, rather than the 20s, so expect him to go before the draft hits the second half of the first round.

Quotables

“Bjorck can play with the puck on a string and make plays as a natural facilitator who has a ton of poise and vision, but he also plays in and out of give-and-gos, will go to the net and finish off plays and has great overall sense on and off the puck. He’s also a quick and fast skater who can play at different paces and challenge both in straight lines and on cuts and turnbacks, even if he’s not a true burner for his size. I like his craft on the puck, and he’s got an impressive knack for spinning and shaking away from coverage and drawing penalties.” – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic (from ‘2026 NHL Draft ranking: Ivar Stenberg takes top spot ahead of Gavin McKenna on Wheeler’s midseason top 64,’ The Athletic, 1/20/26)

“There will always be some doubts about how a player under six feet tall can adapt to the NHL, even in today’s more creative game over physicality. However, in Björck’s case, those doubts should quickly fade. He’s a complete, intelligent player already managing the physical demands of professional hockey. Björck plays with nonstop energy and awareness, constantly scanning the ice and staying engaged in all three zones.” – Iván Ortiz, SMAHT Scouting

“Bjorck is an undersized center who has the work rate, skill and pace to his game to actually stick down the middle despite his size. He’s been one of the most impressive players to watch since late December, and he is proving doubters wrong with each passing day.” – Tony Ferrari, The Hockey News

“Bjorck is a slick, playmaking center. He has tremendous creativity as both a puck handler and passer. He’s small and a good, but not great, skater, which raises some concerns about his NHL projection, particularly if he can stay in the middle. He’s a battler, though, who’s responsible off the puck and held his own versus men this season at the SHL level in terms of the physicality. He projects as a top six center.” – Corey Pronman, The Athletic (from ‘2026 NHL Draft prospects: Chase Reid, Gavin McKenna and Keaton Verhoeff top Pronman’s ranking,’ The Athletic, 3/10/26)