Sidney Crosby Inspires Jets' Top Pick Viggo Björck

Sidney Crosby has inspired Winnipeg Jets' 2026 first round pick Viggo Björck, who models his game after the NHL legend. On Friday night, less than an hour after becoming the eighth overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, Björck admitted it's nearly impossible to replicate Crosby's game.

What happened?

Björck got the chance to face his childhood idol while representing Sweden at the IIHF World Championship earlier this spring. He had an interview with Swedish television and Crosby was standing behind him, which led to a momentary interaction and a signed stick.

Björck was shocked turning around and seeing Crosby, but he took the chance to ask him for a stick as promised to his older brother. Crosby came through with the stick, leaving it outside the locker room, which Björck found super nice of him.

Why it matters for Sidney Crosby

Crosby may be the player Björck admired most growing up, but he says his biggest influence has always been his older brother. Having a brother two years older than him, Björck looked up to him a lot and played games with him, which helped shape him as a player and a person.

The sibling battles became legendary around the family home, with temperatures sometimes dipping down below zero in Sweden, and a backyard rink occasionally built. Björck believes those fiercely competitive games helped carve out both the player and person he has become.

What comes next?

Björck is expected to attend Jets development camp beginning on Monday, June 29, before returning to Sweden for another season with Djurgårdens IF. He hopes to continue rounding out his game, working on his shot a lot, and being competitive and training against very good people.

Björck isn't putting a timeline on his North American arrival, but he believes another season in the SHL is the right path. He wants to work on everything and be competitive, which will help him develop into a better player.

The signed stick from Crosby sits safely at home in Sweden, a reminder of the momentary interaction between Björck and his childhood idol. Björck's development has also been accelerated over the past season, as he has played against men in Sweden's top professional league, which he thinks helped him a lot.