Last Updated on November 9, 2026 by Janet Asprin
Oliver Bjorkstrand is a Danish professional ice hockey forward who plays for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on April 10, 1995, in Herning, Denmark, Bjorkstrand comes from a family with deep connections to professional hockey in both Denmark and the United States.
His parents are Todd Bjorkstrand and Janne Bjorkstrand. His father is an American-born former professional hockey player and coach, while his older brother, Patrick Bjorkstrand, also pursued a professional hockey career.
Oliver is married to Jill Bjorkstrand. The couple married in 2022 and welcomed their first child, a son named Otto Bjorkstrand, on April 8, 2023.
From growing up in a hockey-oriented household in Denmark to becoming an NHL player, husband, and father, Bjorkstrand’s personal life has been strongly influenced by his family’s support and sporting traditions.
Oliver Bjorkstrand’s Wife: Who Is Jill Bjorkstrand?
Oliver Bjorkstrand’s wife is Jill Bjorkstrand, his longtime romantic partner whom he married in 2022.
The couple’s marriage was publicly acknowledged by the Columbus Blue Jackets in July 2022, when the team traded Oliver to the Seattle Kraken.
In the official announcement, Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen thanked Bjorkstrand for his contributions to the organization and wished him and his wife, Jill, well in Seattle.
Jill has supported Oliver throughout several important stages of his professional career, including his years with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Seattle Kraken.
The couple subsequently welcomed their first child in April 2023, adding a new dimension to their family life.
Who Is Jill Bjorkstrand?
Jill Bjorkstrand is publicly known as the wife of Danish NHL forward Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Although she has appeared in official hockey coverage alongside her husband, Jill maintains a relatively private personal life.
Her early upbringing, educational background, and professional occupation have not been widely documented in reliable public sources.
She has nevertheless participated in important family celebrations, including Oliver’s first NHL All-Star appearance in February 2024.
During that event, Jill traveled to Toronto with Oliver, their son Otto, and her mother.
The trip gave the family an opportunity to experience the NHL’s All-Star festivities together.
When Did Oliver Bjorkstrand Get Married?
Oliver Bjorkstrand and Jill married in 2022.
The couple celebrated their wedding during the same summer that Oliver was traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Seattle Kraken.
In a September 2023 interview published by the Kraken, Bjorkstrand reflected on the previous summer as a particularly demanding period because of his wedding and relocation to another NHL city.
The marriage marked an important personal milestone before the couple became parents the following year.
Although their wedding year is publicly documented, the precise wedding date and ceremony details have not been independently established through official NHL reporting.
Jill Bjorkstrand’s Support During Oliver’s NHL Career
Jill has supported Oliver through the challenges associated with professional hockey, particularly frequent travel, relocations, and demanding playing schedules.
After Oliver joined the Seattle Kraken in July 2022, the couple adjusted to life in the Pacific Northwest.
The transition became more significant when they learned they were expecting their first child.
In a January 2025 interview with Sound of Hockey, Oliver explained that preparing for fatherhood during the NHL season created concerns about whether he would be home when Jill went into labor.
Because players frequently travel between cities, the timing of a child’s birth can be especially challenging for hockey families.
Fortunately, Oliver was relatively close to Seattle when their son arrived, allowing him to return home in time for the delivery.
The experience became one of the most memorable moments of their marriage.
Oliver Bjorkstrand’s Children
Oliver Bjorkstrand and his wife, Jill, have one publicly confirmed child, a son named Otto Bjorkstrand.
His birth was documented by the Seattle Kraken and subsequently discussed in interviews about parenthood and life in professional hockey.
Son: Otto Bjorkstrand
Otto Bjorkstrand was born on April 8, 2023, becoming Oliver and Jill’s first child.
His arrival occurred during Oliver’s first season with the Seattle Kraken, shortly before the team’s first appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
According to a January 2025 article published by Sound of Hockey, Oliver was traveling with the Kraken when he learned that Jill was preparing to give birth.
Seattle had traveled to Vancouver for a game against the Canucks when Oliver received a late-night call informing him that Jill needed to go to the hospital.
He immediately began making arrangements to return to Seattle.
Because Vancouver is relatively close to Seattle, he was able to travel by car and arrive home in time for the birth.
Oliver later expressed appreciation that the situation occurred while the team was playing nearby rather than in a more distant NHL city.
The experience helped him understand the challenges faced by professional athletes trying to balance family responsibilities with their playing careers.
Otto Attends His Father’s First NHL All-Star Game
One particularly memorable family occasion took place in February 2024, when Oliver Bjorkstrand represented the Seattle Kraken at the NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.
Oliver traveled to the event with his wife, Jill, their son Otto, and Jill’s mother.
According to an official Seattle Kraken article published on February 14, 2024, the family arrived in Toronto on January 31.
They spent time exploring the city, including visiting Ripley’s Aquarium and enjoying meals together.
The trip allowed Oliver’s family to experience an important professional achievement without the usual pressures associated with a regular NHL game day.
Oliver also received commemorative equipment and other gifts connected to the All-Star festivities.
For Otto, the event represented an early opportunity to accompany his father during an important hockey celebration.
How Fatherhood Changed Oliver Bjorkstrand
Becoming a father brought additional responsibilities and meaningful experiences into Bjorkstrand’s life.
In a September 2023 interview with the Seattle Kraken, Oliver discussed spending more time with his newborn son during the offseason.
He also acknowledged that becoming a parent made his summer different from previous years.
In January 2025, he spoke more extensively about the challenges of expecting a child during the NHL season.
He explained that players must consider their travel schedules and the possibility of being away when their partners go into labor.
Fortunately, the birth of Otto took place while Oliver was close enough to return home.
His experiences illustrate how parenthood has become an important part of his personal life alongside his professional hockey career.
No additional children have been reliably identified in the public sources reviewed.
Oliver Bjorkstrand’s Parents
Oliver Bjorkstrand was born to Todd Bjorkstrand and Janne Bjorkstrand in Herning, Denmark.
His parents met after Todd moved from the United States to Denmark to pursue professional hockey opportunities.
They raised two sons, Patrick and Oliver, both of whom eventually became professional hockey players.
According to a January 2025 feature published by the Seattle Kraken, Todd and Janne are no longer married.
Father: Todd Bjorkstrand
Oliver Bjorkstrand’s father is Todd Bjorkstrand, an American former professional ice hockey forward and experienced hockey coach.
Todd was born and raised in Minnesota, United States, where he developed an early interest in hockey.
He played collegiate hockey at the University of Maine before pursuing professional opportunities in North America.
His career included playing in the International Hockey League for teams such as the Indianapolis Checkers and Fort Wayne Komets.
In 1988, Todd received an unexpected opportunity to move to Denmark and join the Herning Blue Fox.
At the time, he was 26 years old and still hoped to pursue opportunities at higher levels of professional hockey.
However, his experience in Herning transformed both his personal life and his professional career.
He became one of the most successful players in Danish hockey history, eventually winning seven national championships during 14 seasons with the Blue Fox.
After retiring as a player, Todd became a coach and led the organization to six additional Danish championships.
His achievements helped establish Herning as one of Denmark’s most important hockey development centers.
How Todd Bjorkstrand Met Oliver’s Mother
Todd Bjorkstrand met Janne after moving to Denmark in 1988.
According to the Seattle Kraken’s January 2025 family profile, Todd initially planned to play one season in Denmark before pursuing opportunities elsewhere.
However, he extended his stay and eventually met Janne.
The relationship became an important reason for establishing his life in Denmark.
The couple later welcomed two sons, Patrick and Oliver, who grew up in Herning.
Although Todd and Janne subsequently separated, both remain publicly identified as Oliver’s parents.
Todd Bjorkstrand’s Influence on Oliver’s Hockey Career
Todd played an especially important role in Oliver’s development as a hockey player.
From an early age, Oliver and his older brother Patrick were surrounded by professional hockey.
Their father frequently practiced with them in the backyard and on the street outside their family home.
Because Denmark’s climate did not always provide suitable outdoor ice, the brothers often played street hockey and practiced on rollerblades.
Oliver developed his skating, puck control, and competitive instincts through these childhood activities.
As the brothers progressed through organized hockey, Todd eventually became their professional coach with the Herning Blue Fox.
He coached Patrick first, before Oliver joined the senior team as a teenager.
During the 2011-12 season, Oliver competed professionally at only 16 years old while playing under his father’s direction.
The experience presented challenges because Todd needed to balance his responsibilities as a coach with his relationship as a parent.
In an official Seattle Kraken interview, Todd acknowledged that coaching his sons was rewarding but sometimes difficult.
Nevertheless, he believed the experience helped them develop discipline and accountability.
Oliver has also credited his father’s demanding coaching style with preparing him for professional hockey in North America.
Todd Bjorkstrand’s Contribution to Danish Hockey
Todd is widely regarded as an influential figure in the development of Danish professional hockey.
He helped transform the Herning Blue Fox into a successful organization that developed several future NHL players.
Among the players associated with Herning’s hockey development were Frans Nielsen, Peter Regin, Nicklas Jensen, Frederik Andersen, and Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Todd also coached Denmark’s national junior hockey teams and later worked with professional organizations in Norway, Austria, and Slovakia.
His achievements have made him an important figure in the history of Danish ice hockey.
Oliver has publicly acknowledged that his father’s contributions helped create opportunities for younger generations of Danish players.
Mother: Janne Bjorkstrand
Oliver Bjorkstrand’s mother is Janne Bjorkstrand, a Danish woman whom Todd Bjorkstrand met after moving to Herning.
Janne is the mother of both Oliver and his older brother Patrick.
Her identity is confirmed by a January 9, 2025, Seattle Kraken article that discusses the family’s background and Todd’s professional hockey career.
Although Todd received considerable public recognition for his achievements as a player and coach, Janne has maintained a more private personal life.
She helped raise Patrick and Oliver in Denmark during the years when their father was actively involved in professional hockey.
The brothers’ childhood included significant exposure to the sport because of their father’s career and the family’s involvement in the Herning hockey community.
However, reliable public sources provide limited details about Janne’s education, professional occupation, and personal activities outside family life.
Her relationship with Todd is described in official Seattle Kraken reporting as a former marriage.
Oliver Bjorkstrand’s Siblings
Oliver Bjorkstrand has one publicly documented sibling, his older brother Patrick Bjorkstrand.
Like Oliver, Patrick pursued a professional ice hockey career and represented Denmark internationally.
Brother: Patrick Bjorkstrand
Patrick Bjorkstrand is Oliver Bjorkstrand’s older brother and a former professional ice hockey forward.
Born on July 1, 1992, in Herning, Denmark, Patrick is approximately three years older than Oliver.
He grew up playing hockey under the influence of their father, Todd Bjorkstrand.
Patrick developed through the Herning youth hockey system before joining the Herning Blue Fox’s senior team.
He won Danish national championships with the organization and later pursued professional opportunities in other European leagues.
His playing career included time with Mora IK in Sweden, Medveščak Zagreb in the Kontinental Hockey League, and several Finnish hockey organizations.
In July 2016, Patrick signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings organization.
He subsequently played for the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League.
Although Patrick did not establish a regular NHL career, he enjoyed a lengthy professional career in European and North American hockey.
He also represented Denmark at multiple IIHF World Championships.
Oliver and Patrick Bjorkstrand’s Brotherly Relationship
Oliver and Patrick share a close relationship built around their childhood experiences in Herning.
The brothers spent considerable time playing street hockey, competing in backyard games, and developing their athletic abilities together.
Because Patrick was older, Oliver frequently competed against bigger and stronger opponents during their childhood games.
In a 2015 interview with Finnish hockey publication Jatkoaika, the brothers discussed how competitive their childhood games had been.
Patrick acknowledged that neither brother enjoyed losing, which often made their informal competitions intense.
Oliver credited these experiences with helping him become a more determined hockey player.
The brothers eventually played together for the Herning Blue Fox and represented Denmark internationally.
During the 2012 World Junior Championship, Oliver and Patrick were teammates while their father served as coach.
The experience gave the family an unusual opportunity to participate in international hockey together.
Oliver Bjorkstrand’s American and Danish Family Heritage
Oliver Bjorkstrand’s family background connects Denmark and the United States.
His father, Todd, grew up in Minnesota before moving to Denmark in 1988.
His mother, Janne, is Danish, and Oliver was born and raised in Herning.
Because of his father’s American background, Oliver spent portions of his childhood visiting relatives in Minnesota.
According to the Seattle Kraken’s January 2025 family profile, these visits helped him become familiar with American culture and the English language.
The experience later proved useful when Oliver moved to North America to play junior hockey.
Although he has strong American family connections, Bjorkstrand represents Denmark in international ice hockey competitions.
Oliver Bjorkstrand’s Professional Hockey Career
Oliver Bjorkstrand began his professional hockey career with the Herning Blue Fox in Denmark.
He made his senior debut during the 2011-12 season, playing under his father while still a teenager.
In 2012, he moved to North America to join the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League.
He developed into one of the league’s leading offensive players and won the WHL Player of the Year award in 2015.
The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Bjorkstrand in the third round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, with the 89th overall pick.
He made his NHL debut in March 2016 and subsequently became an important offensive contributor for Columbus.
In July 2022, he was traded to the Seattle Kraken, where he continued his career and helped the organization earn its first Stanley Cup playoff series victory in 2023.
During the 2023-24 season, Bjorkstrand represented Seattle at the NHL All-Star Game.
He was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in March 2025 and played for the organization through the 2025-26 season.
On July 1, 2026, Bjorkstrand signed a one-year contract with the New York Rangers, beginning another chapter in his NHL career.
Throughout his professional development, his family’s influence has remained an important part of his story.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oliver Bjorkstrand’s Family
Who is Oliver Bjorkstrand’s wife?
Oliver Bjorkstrand’s wife is Jill Bjorkstrand, whom he married in 2022.
Is Oliver Bjorkstrand married?
Yes. Oliver Bjorkstrand is married to Jill Bjorkstrand, who has accompanied him to important NHL events and family celebrations.
Does Oliver Bjorkstrand have children?
Yes. Oliver Bjorkstrand and his wife have one publicly confirmed son named Otto Bjorkstrand.
When was Oliver Bjorkstrand’s son born?
Otto Bjorkstrand was born on April 8, 2023.
Who are Oliver Bjorkstrand’s parents?
His parents are Todd Bjorkstrand, an American-born former professional hockey player and coach, and Janne Bjorkstrand.
Who is Oliver Bjorkstrand’s father?
His father is Todd Bjorkstrand, a former professional ice hockey forward who won seven Danish championships as a player and six more as a coach with the Herning Blue Fox.
Who is Oliver Bjorkstrand’s mother?
His mother is Janne Bjorkstrand, who raised Oliver and his older brother Patrick in Denmark.
Does Oliver Bjorkstrand have siblings?
Yes. Oliver Bjorkstrand has one publicly documented older brother, Patrick Bjorkstrand.
Is Oliver Bjorkstrand’s brother also a hockey player?
Yes. Patrick Bjorkstrand played professional hockey in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and North America and represented Denmark internationally.
Did Oliver Bjorkstrand’s father coach him?
Yes. Todd Bjorkstrand coached Oliver during his early professional career with the Herning Blue Fox and worked with both sons in Danish hockey.
Is Oliver Bjorkstrand American or Danish?
Oliver Bjorkstrand was born and raised in Denmark and represents the country internationally. His father is American, giving him strong family connections to the United States.
Where is Oliver Bjorkstrand’s family from?
The Bjorkstrand family has strong roots in Herning, Denmark. His father originally comes from Minnesota in the United States.
A dedicated ice hockey journalist, Janet Asprin delivers sharp, detailed coverage of the NHL season. From evaluating trade deadline moves and line combinations to analyzing power plays and postseason standings, Janet brings a fresh, structured perspective to every game. She focuses on translating high-speed rink strategy into compelling stories and actionable insights for hockey fans.
