Nick Bjugstad: 2010 NHL Draft Profile and Scouting Report

Nick Bjugstad, Blaine (Minn.) High School

Position: Center | Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight 190 lbs
FanHouse Ranking: No. 10 | Age: 17 | Hometown: Blaine, Minnesota

More: Top 35 Prospects | Full 2010 NHL Draft Coverage

Nick Bjugstad 2009-10 Stats
	GP	Goals	Assists	Points
Regular Season	30	35	34	69

Last year, the recipient of Minnesota's prestigious Mr. Hockey award, given annually to the state's top senior high school boys' player, was the first high school player to come off the draft board. Eden Prairie, Minn., defenseman Nick Leddy went to the Minnesota Wild, who have since traded his rights to Chicago.

Bjugstad won Mr. Hockey for the 2009-2010 season, and he led Blaine to the Minnesota Class AA Tournament with an outstanding season. The Bengals lost their first game in the state tournament, but Bjugstad had long since solidified his status as a first-round pick.

Bjugstad is the nephew of a former NHL player, Scott Bjugstad, and Nick projects as a tough two-way player at the next level. He'll ply his craft at the University of Minnesota, a place hit recently by some controversy. Two NHL teams, the New York Islanders and Minnesota Wild, have publicly questioned the ability of Minnesota's coaching staff to develop players for the pros.

If Bjugstad doesn't pan out, it will be a surprise to many. He has the ability, body, mind, and attitude to be a successful pro player, and the college game will suit him well. Coming in, he should compare nicely to former University of Denver star Joe Colborne, who struggled for close to half his freshman season, but came on late and had a huge sophomore season before turning pro.

Bjugstad isn't as big as Colborne, who is now with the Boston Bruins organization. However, Bjugstad has the natural ability to go high in the draft and succeed in college hockey.