Right-winger Scott Bjugstad was an NHL journeyman who enjoyed one exceptional season. His goal scoring proficiency was more evident in college and the minors but he did manage to play more than 300 big league contests for three different clubs.
The St. Paul native was a solid performer at the University of Minnesota for four seasons. The Minnesota North Stars claimed him 181st overall after his freshman year in 1981. Later, he registered consecutive 20-goal seasons as a junior and senior. In 1983-84, the young forward joined the U.S. national team and potted 31 goals in 54 exhibition contests. Bjugstad took part in the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics and notched three goals in six games as the Americans disappointed with a seventh place finish.
Bjugstad played his first full NHL season in 1984-85. He scored eleven goals but struggled defensively and posted a -21 plus/minus rating. The next year he exceeded the Stars' hope for improvement by registering 43 goals. This output proved to be an aberration as his production dropped to four goals the next year and ten the next. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1987-88 but produced only three goals in 24 matches.
After signing as a free agent with the L.A. Kings, Bjugstad was a role player for three years with only five goals in 64 games. He retired in 1993 after splitting the season between the IHL's Phoenix Roadrunners and Houston Aeros
