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  6. article_body => "<p>BOSTON \u2013 The Bruins still hold out hope they\u2019ll be able to sign Anders Bjork this summer as he prepares to play for Team USA at the World Championships.<\/p>\n<p>Bruins GM Don Sweeney said there\u2019s an active dialogue ongoing with the Bruins prospect\u2019s family advisor since Bjork finished a Hobey Baker-level junior season at Notre Dame and he has yet to inform the B\u2019s brass of a final decision.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The 20-year-old is coming off 21 goals and 52 points for a Notre Dame team that lost in the opening rounds of the Frozen Four and clearly would be a fast-skating, offensively polished winger who could potentially be a top-six left wing candidate for David Krejci\u2019s line.<\/p>\n<p>Sweeney made it clear the ball is completely in Bjork\u2019s court at this point, but there becomes a real danger he could follow the Jimmy Vesey route to unrestricted free agency if he heads back to college for his senior season. The B\u2019s general manager made it clear that they would like the 5-foot-11, 183-pounder in the fold, and there are plans for him next season and beyond if he decided to sign an entry-level deal this summer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve had discussions. We\u2019ll continue to have discussions. He hasn\u2019t made a firm decision, whether or not he\u2019s leaving school. So it will be his decision,\u201d said Sweeney. \u201cThe opportunity is there for him to join us, and we\u2019d like him to. But again, that\u2019s his decision to make at the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Bjork, a former fifth-round pick, has clearly elevated his NHL profile since he was drafted three years ago, and also holds strong ties to Notre Dame: His father Kirt was an All-American hockey player there and his cousin, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Erik Condra, also played for the Irish. So there might be real, genuine interest for Bjork to return to Notre Dame for personal reasons, and another chance at an NCAA title with a loaded group after falling a couple of games short this season. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><br>&nbsp;<\/p>\n"
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Bruins

Bruins

BOSTON – The Bruins still hold out hope they’ll be able to sign Anders Bjork this summer as he prepares to play for Team USA at the World Championships.

Bruins GM Don Sweeney said there’s an active dialogue ongoing with the Bruins prospect’s family advisor since Bjork finished a Hobey Baker-level junior season at Notre Dame and he has yet to inform the B’s brass of a final decision. 

The 20-year-old is coming off 21 goals and 52 points for a Notre Dame team that lost in the opening rounds of the Frozen Four and clearly would be a fast-skating, offensively polished winger who could potentially be a top-six left wing candidate for David Krejci’s line.

Sweeney made it clear the ball is completely in Bjork’s court at this point, but there becomes a real danger he could follow the Jimmy Vesey route to unrestricted free agency if he heads back to college for his senior season. The B’s general manager made it clear that they would like the 5-foot-11, 183-pounder in the fold, and there are plans for him next season and beyond if he decided to sign an entry-level deal this summer.

“We’ve had discussions. We’ll continue to have discussions. He hasn’t made a firm decision, whether or not he’s leaving school. So it will be his decision,” said Sweeney. “The opportunity is there for him to join us, and we’d like him to. But again, that’s his decision to make at the right time.”

 

Bjork, a former fifth-round pick, has clearly elevated his NHL profile since he was drafted three years ago, and also holds strong ties to Notre Dame: His father Kirt was an All-American hockey player there and his cousin, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Erik Condra, also played for the Irish. So there might be real, genuine interest for Bjork to return to Notre Dame for personal reasons, and another chance at an NCAA title with a loaded group after falling a couple of games short this season.