Penguins Prospect Bjorkqvist Signs in Finland

The list of minor-leaguers who could challenge for a spot on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ roster in 2022-23 shrank Tuesday.

Winger Kasper Bjorkqvist, their second-round draft choice in 2016, signed a two-year contract with Karpat Oulu in Liiga, Finland’s top league.

He is a native of Espoo, Finland.

Bjorkqvist played in six games with the Penguins in 2021-22, scoring one goal. He appeared in 65 games with their farm team in Wilkes-Barre over the past three seasons, putting up 10 goals and four assists.

Those totals included eight goals and four assists in 54 American Hockey League games during the past season.

In a meeting with reporters following the Penguins’ elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs, GM Ron Hextall cited him as one of the prospects who could contend for a job with the parent club this fall.

Bjorkqvist is 6-1, 198 pounds and played three seasons at Providence College before signing with the Penguins.

The Pittsburgh Penguins can retain his NHL rights by giving Bjorkqvist, who was a restricted free agent, a qualifying offer. There was no immediate word on whether they plan to do so.