by Madisen Krapf

From Boston to Buffalo to right back home in Wisconsin, Anders Bjork has navigated a hockey journey full of the trials and tribulations of an impressively developed player.

Bjork spent his earliest years in Detroit, surrounded by the ins and outs of hockey through the influence of his dad’s side of the family: his cousins all played, followed by his younger brothers and older sisters. His older cousin took his career all the way to the NHL, proving to be a crucial inspiration for Bjork, most in part because of his collegiate career.

“My older cousin played at Notre Dame, and then a little pro, and played in NHL for a bit” Bjork said. “That’s really what grew my love for hockey.”

After juniors, Bjork spent three years playing at the University of Notre Dame. In the 2016-17 season, he lead the team as an alternate captain to the 2017 Frozen Four, recalling it as his favorite hockey memory.

“It was in Chicago at the United Center” Bjork said. “I was really close with my teammates. We had a good team, and a lot of my family and friends could be there.”

Bjork shared that while celebrating such a pivotal career moment in the familiar setting of Chicago felt natural and comforting, the true significance of the milestone lies in how it inspired his growth as an athlete.

“That was a time when I was playing and coming into my game as a hockey player, and hadn’t turned pro yet” Bjork said. “I look back at that time and try to almost emulate some parts of my game, some of my tenacity, and still use that today.”

The Notre Dame lore has run strong in the Admirals program, as Spencer Stastney (currently with the Predators) and Ryder Rolston also boast the school as their alma mater.

Bjork, along with Stastney, are among the recent few Admiral players to be Wisconsin natives.

“You have a lot of pride for the jersey and for the organization” the Mequon native said. “Especially growing up around Milwaukee looking up to the guys on the Ads it’s really cool to be able to play for them. You have a lot more motivation to make your city proud.”

Bjork has carved quite an admirable path for himself, proving that hometown dreams can turn into reality. But even as he embraces the pride of representing Milwaukee, he remains driven to keep pushing forward. His path has inspired young players who hope to one day skate in his footsteps, and he’s eager to share advice for those looking to chase their own hockey dreams.

“Get outside and play” Bjork said. “You can develop that athleticism by playing hockey on a pond, in your driveway with rollerblades, or in your shoes shooting pucks. Building that athleticism, you can do it while having fun. It’s the easiest thing in the world to do.”

As Bjork continues on to build on his impressive career, he remains focused on growth and making an impact on the ice. His journey serves as a testament to hard work and perseverance, inspiring the next generation of Wisconsin hockey players to chase their own dreams.