Viggo Björck Has His Eyes on a Jet’s Roster Spot

Written by Gina Anton

The opportunity is there for Viggo Björck. So is the pressure.

The Winnipeg Jets’ No. 8 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft is entering the most important stretch of his offseason, with the NHL Prospect Challenge giving him an early chance to show what he can do before training camp determines whether his dream of playing in the NHL this season becomes reality.

For Björck, the goal is clear.

“I want to make the team,” he said after Winnipeg’s 3-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens. “But we've got a game here, and then we've got two weeks of training camp as well. So, it's a long way.”

That distance is what makes these next few weeks so important.

Every shift gives Björck another opportunity to prove he belongs. Every mistake or missed opportunity can feel magnified when an 18-year-old is competing for a spot against players with more experience.

The challenge is not only performing well enough to make the roster. It is handling the expectations that come with being a top-10 pick while trying to prove the jump to the NHL can happen now.

Björck is not new to high-pressure situations. He helped Sweden win gold at the 2026 World Junior Championship, recording nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games, before playing at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, where he had six points (one goal, five assists) in eight games.

Now, though, the pressure is more personal. This is about his future with Winnipeg.

“I guess I just believe in myself,” Björck said. “I’ve been able to play at certain levels. I think the World Championships as well was kind of a good place to see where you're at. It's definitely not easy, but I'm going to give it my best (shot).”

That belief could be important as the competition intensifies and the margin for error gets smaller.

Björck opened the scoring in his first prospect tournament game, finishing a give-and-go with Brayden Yager before wrapping the puck around the net. Beyond the goal, his composure stood out to Winnipeg coach Mark Morrison.

“I thought he played with a lot of composure out there,” Morrison said. “It gets a little scrambly at times. He made some nice plays. Special teams, he was real good, and yeah, nice goal.”

For a player trying to make an NHL roster, staying composed can be just as important as producing offensively. Björck knows there will be moments when expectations rise, but he is trying not to let the outcome consume him.

“I try just to be myself, trying to enjoy spending time with the guys in the locker room,” he said. “I think that keeps you focused on the job and just having fun.”

That mindset could become increasingly important as training camp approaches.

Björck is not pretending the opportunity is guaranteed. Manitoba remains an option if he does not make Winnipeg’s opening-night roster, and he understands there is still plenty of work ahead.

But there is no reason to hide what he wants.

He wants to make the team. The next few weeks will determine whether he can turn that goal into reality without letting the pressure take over.