Impact is Lasting for Bjork, Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, Ind.- Anders Bjork hasn't played hockey at the University of Notre Dame for over a year and a half. But it doesn't quite feel that way when you walk around the hallowed campus.
Photos and plaques marking Bjork's accomplishments during his three years with the Fighting Irish dot the walls and hang from the rafters at Compton Family Ice Arena - all clear indications of the impact the Wisconsin native had on the ice, while helping Notre Dame to a Frozen Four berth in 2017.
But the true measure of his influence shines through away from the rink.

"I have been in the education world probably 20 years and never have I seen someone make that much of a difference," said Courtney Baranay, a third-grade teacher at Perley Fine Arts Academy, the South Bend elementary school where Bjork spent time volunteering.
Bjork developed a unique relationship with Baranay's students during his weekly visits and became a role model for the kids, who referred to him as Mr. B. When the former fifth-round pick left Notre Dame after his junior season to begin his professional career with the Bruins, some of his Notre Dame teammates carried on his legacy and continued to spend time in Room 208.
"It's really his temperament, his character, and the type of kid he is. It was reflected in the tremendous job he did in the community here," Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson said during a recent trip to campus for Bear Tracks. "He still has those ties with the Perley School. He did such a great job with working with underprivileged kids, going over there once or twice a week. He'd ride over there on his bike or his skateboard and spend an afternoon with the kids.
"They had such great admiration. I know the teachers over there really respected Anders for what he did with those kids. The nice thing is so many of our other players helped take over when Anders left here."

Jackson credited Bjork's strong family values for his commitment to helping the community. Both of his parents - Kirt and Patricia - as well as both sisters - Brinya and Keali - are Notre Dame alums, while younger brother, Brady, is expected to suit up for the Fighting Irish next fall. Bjork's cousin Erik Condra, currently playing in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, also starred at Notre Dame from 2005-09.
"I think that the type of kid he is is a reflection of his parents," said Jackson. "They're a true Catholic family. He did a tremendous job here. He was a tremendous hockey player - that's a given. He's a very gifted, skilled player, skates extremely well.
"He's just a tremendous young man, he's got his head on straight. He's promised me he'd come back here and finish his degree because that's important to him and his family. We're proud of him for everything he does on and off the ice."

Read: Bjork, Indiana Elementary School Form Unlikely Bond

When it came time to make a decision about where he would play his college hockey, Bjork knew that if he wanted to develop both professionally and personally Notre Dame was the place for him.
"Notre Dame is a special place for our family, for sure," said Bjork. "We always say that our parents sort of brainwashed us as kids. The reason they did so was because they know it's a special place and they wanted us to be the best people that we can and focus more on our person than our craft. That's something that Notre Dame preaches. They loved it so much and taught us to love it so much as well.
"I met a lot of people who I looked up to and wanted to act more like - coaches, teachers, older students. I learned a lot about how I wanted to act and carry myself and what kind of person I wanted to be."

Bjork certainly left his mark on the hockey program, as well. During his three years with the Fighting Irish, he racked up 109 points in 115 games, while helping them to a Frozen Four appearance in 2017. Bjork was also named an All-American and Hobey Baker finalist during his standout junior season.
The winger and his dad are the only father-son duo in Notre Dame hockey history to both reach the 100-point plateau for their careers.
"Hockey-specific, it was a great place to develop my game," said Bjork, who tallied 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 30 games during his rookie season with the Bruins in 2017-18. "They have all the tools here. Everyone's just as passionate about improving me as I was. It was cool to be a part of that and feel the passion from others - that same passion that I've always had for the game was so evident here."
Like Notre Dame, the Bruins are steeped in history and tradition, which has made Bjork's transition to the professional ranks that much smoother.
"I saw a lot of similarities between the Bruins organization and the Notre Dame family," said Bjork. "You sort of get that feeling when you're at the Garden or at Warrior [Ice Arena], around Bruins people, and even in the city of Boston. It just has that sort of energy, that family energy, that passion that I talked about.
"It's the same here [at Notre Dame]. Everyone is so invested. It's definitely a family atmosphere in both places, which is cool and important to me. I'm just very fortunate to have been apart of the Notre Dame family and I'm very lucky to be a part of the Bruins family now."