Blue Jackets Sign Undrafted Swedish Defenseman to Contract

Jarmo Kekalainen and the Columbus Blue Jackets have already gotten started in their offseason by signing undrafted Swedish-born defenseman Marcus Bjork to a one-year, $925,000 contract.

Bjork will be a restricted free agent after next season so the team will have options with him. The Blue Jackets have 12 defensemen under contract for the 2022-23 season but we could see Bjork challenge for a spot on the roster during training camp in the fall. He has four full pro seasons in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) under his belt and the jump to the NHL should be an easier one.

This will be the second time in Bjork's career that he will play in North America after playing eight games in the United States Hockey League in 2016-17 before returning to Sweden. This 24 year old defenseman has scored 17 goals and 64 points in 204 games during the four seasons in the SHL and brings size and physicality to his offensive style of game. Bjork will be another young solid option for the defense group in Columbus.