The anticipation surrounding Viggo Björck’s NHL debut had been building throughout the off-season – for both fans in Winnipeg and the 18-year-old himself.
Now that it’s come and gone, the eighth-overall pick in June’s NHL draft took a moment to remember what it was like being welcomed by the Jets faithful.
“I thought the crowd was pretty cool,” said Björck Saturday after practice. “A lot of people were up on their feet chanting the whole game. It was crazy.”
Despite some pregame jitters, Björck didn’t look like it was his first NHL game, playing 15:42.
“I definitely had quite a bit of nerves going into the game, but I felt like the more you play, and once you get a couple shifts in and get a chance to get some physical contact, the adrenaline comes in and you just start playing,” said Björck.
Jets head coach Scott Arniel used Björck in several different scenarios in their season-opening 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins. He centered the second line alongside Isak Rosén and Gabriel Vilardi, had numerous shifts on the penalty kill and had the opportunity to hop over the boards in overtime.
“Viggo looked real calm and looked like he’s been in the league for a little bit,” said Arniel after the game Friday. “There were a couple times where they took some runs at him, and he did a good job of sort of seeing it coming and got out of the way. But I just thought he played, for a first NHL game, he did a lot of real good things.”
After giving his family back in Sweden a heads-up that he would be playing in the season opener, Björck’s parents, Jesper and Caroline, were able to make it overseas to watch their son take his rookie lap.
Missing in action was his brother Wilson Björck, who had his own hockey game in the NCAA with the Colorado College Tigers. The two brothers grew up extremely close and competitive.
“I checked in how his game went and I think he played pretty good, so it’s nice that he got the win,” said Björck. “We’re very supportive. I think our dad is the same… after a good game, often he comes in with feedback, and after a bad game he tries to pump you up.”
Even after his first NHL game, Björck didn’t just look like someone who’s been in the league for a while, he sounded like one too when asked what he’s looking forward to next.
“Keep on growing as a player and a person and get a win,” said Björck. “Unfortunate to lose it in overtime there… I thought we had some good chances, but we’ll bounce back and get the next one.”
The Jets will get the chance to grab their first win of the season in Detroit on Sunday at noon CT, airing on TSN3.
