Nick Bjugstad

Nick Bjugstad (born Nicholas Jay Bjugstad on July 17, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

He was drafted by the Panthers in the first round (19th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing Career
During the summer of 2008, Nick turned down an invitation to train with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program out of a sense of loyalty to his high school teammates. He finished up his high school career with Blaine High School in 2010 after helping to bring the school to three consecutive Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournaments. He was named Mr. Hockey in 2009–10.

While in high school, Nick accelerated his schooling by taking summer classes and online courses which enabled him to graduate a year earlier than expected.

He began his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota in 2010 playing for the Golden Gophers, where he totaled 54 goals and 44 assists during his three years while the team won two WCHA championships.

Nick left the Gophers after his junior season, signing a three-year entry-level deal with the Florida Panthers on April 3, 2013.

He immediately joined the last-placed Panthers end to the 2012–13 season and scored his first NHL goal against Anders Lindback in Florida's season finale victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 27, 2013.

Nick led the Panthers in points with 38 and third in goals with 16 during the 2013–14 season where he spent the majority of the season on the team's first line.

On December 31, 2014, Nick signed a six-year contract extension with the Panthers worth $24.6 million.

Personal Life
Nick's father, Mike, played Division-III hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire while his uncle Scott Bjugstad played at the University of Minnesota before going on to play in the NHL where he spent a portion of his professional career with the Minnesota North Stars.

During the 2013–14 season, Nick completed his class work to graduate with a degree in Business Marketing from the University of Minnesota.