Florida Panthers’ 2010 draft first round pick Nick Bjugstad decides to return to University team-NHL
Nick Bjugstad, who was picked 19th overall in the first round of the 2010 National Hockey League (NHL) entry draft by Florida Panthers, has decided to return to his University team instead of starting his professional career.
20-year-old, who plays for University of Minnesota in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), is one of the top prospects of Florida Panthers and was considering about occupying a spot on their roster.
Talking to Panthers’ official website, Bjugstad said that it was a very tough decision for him. Minneapolis, Minnesota born also hailed Florida as a great organisation saying,
"It's a tough [decision], especially since how the season ended last year. We've got a lot of good players coming in at Minnesota [and] we've got a lot of good players coming back, so it's a tough one. Obviously [Florida] is a great organization and it's
been turned around."
The 6-foot-4, 204 pounder centre, started his career with Blaine High School in USHS, which a Minnesota High School Boy Hockey and had a great season with them, by scoring an average of more than two points per game. He scored 26 goals, 25 assists and 51
total points in just 25 games that he played in. Second season was even better as he scored 29 goals, 31 assists and 60 total points in 25 games.
Bjugstad’s performance for Minnesota University has also been very impressive as in his first season; he scored 8 goals, 12 assists, 20 total points in the 29 games and 25 goals, 17 assists, 42 total points in the 40 games he played in second season.
Nephew of former NHL player Scott Bjugstad, Nick has also represented U.S.A in 2011 and 2012 World Junior Championships of hockey, winning Bronze medal in 2011.
Bjugstad also said that he is going to finish his education and his goal is to win the national championships as he said,
"This is the right spot for me. I am going to be close to finishing my education and hopefully can accomplish the goal that I have had ever since I was little, which is winning a national championship.”
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