CHL Player of the Week - Oliver Bjorkstrand

Toronto, ON - The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Oliver Bjorkstrand of the Portland Winterhawks is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 1 after recording nine points in three games including four goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.

Bjorkstrand helped the Winterhawks win all three games last week extending the club's streak to eight-straight games boosting them into third place in the WHL's Western Conference standings with 65 points. While he was held without a point last Wednesday night in a 4-3 win over the Victoria Royals, Bjorkstrand had a three-point performance on Friday with a goal and two assists earning second star honours in a 6-2 win over the Kamloops Blazers. The highlight of his week was on Saturday where he recorded a career-high six points including a hat-trick and three assists playing a role in every Winterhawk goal against U.S Division leaders the Everett Silvertips claiming first star honours in the 6-3 victory.

Bjorkstrand, a 19-year-old from Herning, Denmark, is playing in his third career WHL season with the Winterhawks. Chosen by the Blue Jackets in the third round of the 2013 NHL Draft, Bjorkstrand is tied for third in WHL scoring with 70 points including 35 goals and 35 assists in just 40 games played this season.

Also considered for the award this week was two-time winner and QMJHL top scorer Conor Garland of the Moncton Wildcats who scored two goals and five assists for seven points in two games, and San Jose Sharks prospect Kevin Labanc of the Barrie Colts who scored four goals and four assists for eight points in three games.