Nick Bjugstad was born on July 17, 1992 in Blaine, Minnesota. He was drafted in the first round, nineteenth overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Panthers.
A star high school player in hometown, Bjugstad was named "Minnesota Mr. Hockey" following the 2009-10 season in which he 35 goals and notched 69 points in just 30 games.
Bjugstad attended the University of Minnesota following his graduation from high school. He would leave university following his junior season however, signing and entry-level deal with the Panthers. He would join the club for the remainder of the 2012-13 season, scoring his first NHL goal on the Panthers' final game of the season.
The 2014-15 season is where Bjugstad cemented himself as a top line NHL player when he posted 24 goals and 43 points in 72 games for the Panthers. Though limited to just 67 games the following season, Bjugstad still produced 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points.
Appearing in all 82 games for the Panthers during the 2017-18 season, Bjugstad recorded 19 goals and added 30 assists for a career-high 49 points. Struggling to match his offensive output the following season, Bjugstad was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with Jared McCann in exchange for Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan and a pair of draft picks.
On the international stage, Bjugstad helped the United States to the bronze medal at the 2013 IIHF World Championship.
