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Tylar · 07-31-2015, 07:19 PM

<div align="center">Meet Christoffer BjÃ¶rnsson

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Christoffer BjÃ¶rnsson is a young goaltender born in GÃ¤vle, Sweden who has declared eligible for the S25 SMJHL Entry Draft. He was born in Sweden but moved to the Czech Republic at 3 years old due to his father Markus getting a new job opportunity at a law office in the city of Liberec. He represents Czech Republic internationally so expect him to dawn the Czechoslovakia jersey in the future for IHF competitions if he gets picked. Christoffer learned to skate in the Czech Republic and started to play minor hockey at age 6. He was a great young goaltender at a young age and began to age advance at 10 years old. BjÃ¶rnsson is a technical goalie whose size gives him an advantage between the pipes. Heâ€™s known to be a bit of a hothead in the crease but overall is a very technically sound in the crease and can make the big save if needed.

As he moved up to the top levels in the Czech minor system he was a part of the academy for HC BÃlÃ TygÅ™i Liberec who are a professional team in the Czech Extraliga. Eventually he would be on their youth teams starting at the U17 level where he played two seasons, one as a backup and one where he was the starter. During his U17 stint, he split starts with a goaltender the same age as him. His U17 time was a blast as the coaching staff trusted both goalies and let them play and develop their skills. After his U17 time he moved onto the U20 level. At the U20 level he played as the backup for two whole seasons only getting a total of 20 starts in two complete seasons. The teams coach did not trust him in the net and rode the older goalie into the ground. Christoffer was never called up to the Czech National team due to his lack of experience. So after this past season at the U20 level, Christoffer decided it was time for a change. Which is why he has declared for the S25 SMJHL Entry Draft!

The 18 year old stands at 6 foot 5 inches and weighs 206 pounds. His size is a great asset along with his excellent hand speed and reaction time. His skating is rather weak but that can be improved. With the SMJHL expansion there may be a chance for BjÃ¶rnsson to start early in his career. But that is not a given. He knows he may have to sit back and be a backup for a season which he is completely okay with after experiencing this back home. Most teams in the junior ranks already have a SHL drafted goaltender that is proven in the SMJHL so heâ€™ll have some sitting to do. He is also aware he will most likely be back in the SMJHL after being drafted in the SHL because most teams wonâ€™t want a young guy as a backup. Itâ€™s highly unlikely Bjornsson will go in the first round of the draft as most teams will focus on a defenseman or forward but itâ€™s possible to see him go in the second round to an expansion team or a team looking to take a flyer on a goalie for next season. After being drafted in the SMJHL itâ€™s possible he could spend 3 seasons in juniors. Patience is going to be the main thing both Christoffer and his future SHL team will have to have when it comes to his career. For now he will wait for his big night when he will be drafted into the SMJHL and start his career!
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