We continue on with our 2026 mid-season Vancouver Canucks prospect rankings here at CanucksArmy.

With the Honourable Mentions and our first-ranked prospect now off the board, we bring you a high-motor, skilled Swede playing in the NCAA. If you’re looking for a refresher on our ranking criteria, be sure to check out our Honourable Mentions installment before diving in.

Regardless of where you believe Wilson Björck ultimately lands in his professional career, there’s no denying he’s one of the more entertaining prospects within the Vancouver Canucks’ system.

If you’ve ever heard the term “honey badger” thrown around in hockey circles, Björck fits it to a tee. His motor never stops. Despite sitting on the lighter side of the scale, he attacks traffic with little hesitation, darts into dirty areas, and makes nights a constant headache for his opposition. Watching his shifts, you get the sense that he’s more than likely one of the opponent’s most hated opponents for the simple fact that he just won’t go away.

And frankly, we love that about him.

Taking the road less travelled from Sweden to the NCAA, Björck has settled into a top-six role with Colorado College. Through the first half of the season, he’s posted 12 points (five goals, seven assists) and has been a regular contributor on the second power-play unit. The raw numbers may not leap off the page, but some of that should be taken with a little context. Colorado College has struggled mightily, sitting near the bottom of the NCHC standings and ranked the lowest-scoring team in the conference.

So why does he land at No. 14?

The answer lies less in effort and more in projection. Björck carries a lighter frame and is already 20 years old as a re-entry draft pick. While he earned a spot at Sweden’s World Junior camp, he wasn’t able to crack the final roster despite being the oldest player in the mix. The tools are there, but the question now is how effectively they translate as the competition stiffens.

What keeps Björck firmly on the radar, however, is how his game is built. And when you think of smaller set forwards, there’s no one better to bet on than players who bring the combination of determination and relentlessness. He pairs that motor with a creative offensive mindset and a sneaky release, allowing him to capitalize when defenders underestimate him.

He plays with his head up, constantly scanning and processing, which allows him to slip through traffic and avoid unnecessary punishment. With the puck, he’s surprisingly cerebral, often slowing the play down just enough before either pulling up for a curl-and-shoot release or finding a teammate in space.

And then there’s the motor. Björck hounds puck carriers, digs relentlessly in the corners, and isn’t shy about driving the middle of the ice. Does he get pushed around at times? Does he bounce off bodies? Absolutely. Going forward, that’s likely the biggest hurdle he’ll face as he climbs toward the professional ranks. But a lack of compete has never been, and will likely never be, a concern.

We love him for the tools he brings, but understand that there’s still a long road ahead and physical maturity to come. With the upcoming draft offering the chance to select his younger brother, Viggo, there is potential to add some fun dynamics ahead. One can dream, right?

Ceiling: With his hockey IQ, creativity, and non-stop motor, Björck could carve out a role as an energy-driven third-line winger who chips in offensively and contributes on a second power-play unit.

Floor: Like many skilled but undersized forwards, there’s a realistic scenario where he returns to Sweden and builds a solid professional career at the SHL level.

ETA: There’s no urgency for Björck to turn pro. Another season at the collegiate level to add strength and continue refining his game feels likely. From there, his NHL timeline projects as a longer-term play — potentially three to four years down the road.

That’s our #14 spot. Stay tuned for another installment tomorrow here at CanucksArmy.

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