Kasper Björkqvist

Kasper Björkqvist (born 10 July 1997) is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger who is currently playing for Ilves in the Liiga. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round, 61st overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.^[1]

Kasper Björkqvist
Born	(1997-07-10) 10 July 1997 (age 28) Espoo, Finland
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	214 lb (97 kg; 15 st 4 lb)
Position	Winger
Shoots	Left
Liiga team Former teams	Ilves KooKoo Pittsburgh Penguins Oulun Kärpät
NHL draft	61st overall, 2016 Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career	2019–present

Playing career

Björkqvist played as a youth with hometown club, the Espoo Blues, and after collecting MVP honors as a prolific scorer in the Nuorten SM-liiga he was selected in the second round, 61st overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Moving to North America, Björkqvist continued his development by committing to a collegiate career with Providence College of the Hockey East. He was signed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins following his junior season with the Friars on 15 May 2019.^[2]

In his first professional season in 2019–20, Björkqvist was assigned by Pittsburgh to AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, appearing in just 6 games before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury.

In the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Björkqvist opted to remain in Finland to continue his development in joining Liiga club, KooKoo, on loan from the Penguins on 24 August 2020.^[3] He enjoyed a productive stint in the Liiga, leading all rookies in league scoring with 26 points through 44 regular season games to earn rookie of the year honors. He returned to the AHL following KooKoo's playoff defeat, posting 1 goal through 5 regular-season games.

As a restricted free agent with the Penguins, Björkqvist was re-signed to a one-year, two-way contract on 25 July 2021.^[4] In the following 2021–22 season, having started the campaign in the AHL, Björkqvist was recalled by Pittsburgh and made his NHL debut, scoring his first NHL goal, in a 8-5 victory over the San Jose Sharks on 2 January 2022.^[5]

As an impending restricted free agent with the Penguins, Björkqvist opted to return to his homeland, agreeing to a two-year contract with Kärpät of the Liiga on 28 June 2022.^[6]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2013–14	Espoo Blues	Jr. A		17	3	4	7	8		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Espoo Blues	Jr. A		34	19	11	30	82		8	0	2	2	2
2015–16	Espoo Blues	Jr. A		45	28	38	66	32		2	1	1	2	2
2016–17	Providence College	HE		30	3	6	9	8		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Providence College	HE		40	16	7	23	16		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Providence College	HE		42	17	13	30	20		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		6	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	KooKoo	Liiga		44	11	15	26	36		2	0	0	0	0
2020–21	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		5	1	0	1	7		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		54	8	4	12	28		6	0	1	1	2
2021–22	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		6	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
Liiga totals				44	11	15	26	36		2	0	0	0	0
NHL totals				6	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—

Medal record
Representing  Finland
Ice hockey
World Junior Championship
	2016 Finland
IIHF World U18 Championship
	2015 Switzerland

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2014	Finland	IH18	5th		4	2	0	2	2
2015	Finland	U18			7	0	0	0	0
2016	Finland	WJC			7	1	1	2	2
2017	Finland	WJC	9th		6	1	1	2	4
Junior totals					24	4	2	6	8

Awards and honors

Award	Year
Jr. A
Saku Koivu Award (Best Forward)	2016
Teemu Selanne Award (MVP)	2016
First All-Star Team	2016
Liiga
Rookie of the Year	2021