Jets Sign Viggo Bjorck To Entry-Level Contract

The Winnipeg Jets have put pen to paper with their top draft pick of the 2026 NHL Draft. According to a team announcement, the Jets have signed forward Viggo Björck to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Björck, 18, was drafted with the eighth overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft by Winnipeg. Going into the draft, Björck was ranked as the fourth-best skater coming out of Europe behind Ivar Stenberg, Alberts Smits, and Oliver Suvanto by NHL Central Scouting.

A native of Stockholm, Sweden, Björck has spent the last two years in the SHL’s Djurgårdens IF program. Throughout the 2024-25 campaign, playing in the J20 Nationell, Björck scored 27 goals and 74 points in 42 games with a +38 rating, with an additional four goals and 15 points in nine postseason contests. Throughout the 2024-25 U18 World Junior Championship, Björck showed off more of his offensive prowess, registering four goals and eight points in seven tournament contests.

Throughout his draft season, Björck mostly played in the SHL. Given that he was playing against much older competition, his offensive output understandably decreased. Still, he put together a solid season, scoring six goals and 15 points in 42 games with a +5 rating. Now playing in the U20 IIHF World Junior Championships in the 2025-26 season, Björck tallied three goals and nine points in seven games, helping Sweden to the Gold Medal.

Additionally, the Jets won’t need to keep tabs on Björck’s development from afar. A few days ago, Djurgårdens IF confirmed they have released Björck from his contract, allowing him to suit up for Winnipeg or the AHL’s Manitoba Moose for the 2026-27 campaign.