Teodors Bļugers

Teodors Bļugers (anglicized as Theodor ″Teddy″ Blueger; born 15 August 1994) is a Latvian professional ice hockey forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 52nd overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins,[1] making him the third-highest selected Latvian hockey player in the NHL Entry Draft, behind Zemgus Girgensons and Sandis Ozoliņš.[2]

Teodors Bļugers
Bļugers with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019
Born (1994-08-15) 15 August 1994
Riga, Latvia
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
NHL team Pittsburgh Penguins
National team  Latvia
NHL Draft 52nd overall, 2012
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 2016–present

Playing career

Bļugers began playing hockey in BHS hockey school, founded by former Dinamo Rīga player Helmuts Balderis.[3]

In 2009 Bļugers moved to North America to play in junior leagues. He committed to a collegiate career with Minnesota State University, Mankato and played four seasons in the NCAA from 2012 to 2016.[4] Bļugers was named to the All-Tournament Team for the 2014 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.[5] In 2015–16, Bļugers was named to the All-WCHA First Team.[6]

On 22 March 2016, Bļugers signed an entry-level agreement with the Pittsburgh Penguins.[7] He finished the 2015–16 season with Penguins' AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins playing in 10 games. In his first full season with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, Bļugers set a new franchise record for plus-minus rating by a rookie with a +24.[8]

Bļugers made his NHL debut on 30 January 2019, in Pittsburgh's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.[9][10][11] On 1 February 2019, Bļugers scored his first NHL goal, against the Ottawa Senators in a 5–3 Penguins win.[12]

On 16 July 2019, Bļugers re-signed with the Penguins on a two-year, one-way contract with an average annual value of $750,000.[11]

International play
With Latvia in 2013

Bļugers has represented Latvia at the international junior level, appearing in the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championships and four World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He made his senior debut when he was selected to play for Latvia at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.[13] The following year, he was again named to the Latvia national team to compete at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.[14]

Personal life

Bļugers has a younger brother, Roberts who also plays hockey.[15]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Shattuck St. Mary's Midget 5320406084 —————
2010–11 Shattuck St. Mary's USHS 5424426632 —————
2011–12 Shattuck St. Mary's USHS 5124648863 —————
2012–13 Minnesota State WCHA 376131940 —————
2013–14 Minnesota State WCHA 404222655 —————
2014–15 Minnesota State WCHA 3710182826 —————
2015–16 Minnesota State WCHA 4111243529 —————
2015–16 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 100002 100114
2016–17 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 547243120 51012
2017–18 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 7021244543 30224
2018–19 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 4521183918 —————
2018–19 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 28641015 10000
2019–20 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 699132225 41010
NHL totals 9715173240 51010

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2011 Latvia WJC18-D1 11th 4 4 1 5 0
2012 Latvia WJC18 9th 6 2 2 4 6
2012 Latvia WJC 9th 6 1 2 3 6
2013 Latvia WJC 10th 6 1 2 3 8
2014 Latvia WJC-D1 12th 3 0 1 1 8
2017 Latvia WC 10th 7 1 0 1 6
2018 Latvia WC 8th 5 1 2 3 0
2019 Latvia WC 10th 7 1 3 4 6
Junior totals 40 12 18 30 42
Senior totals 19 3 5 8 12

Awards and honours
Award Year
College
WCHA All-Tournament Team 2014
All-WCHA First Team 2015–16 [16]

References
  1. NHL. "Pittsburgh Penguins 2012 draft 2nd round selections". nhl.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  2. LETA (22 March 2016). "Bļugers paraksta sākuma līmeņa līgumu ar NHL klubu 'Penguins'" (in Latvian). delfi.lv. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  3. EliteProspects. "HOCKEY PLAYERS FROM BHS". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  4. "TEDDY BLUEGER". msumavericks.com. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  5. "Mavericks Win 2014 WCHA Final Five Championship". Minnesota State University - Mankato Athletics.
  6. "2015-16 WCHA Awards | Nelson, Blueger, Gervais, Huggins, Coatta & Brickley Feted". Minnesota State University - Mankato Athletics.
  7. Pittsburgh Penguins (22 March 2016). "Penguins Sign Forward Teddy Blueger to a Two-Year, Entry-Level Contract". nhl.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  8. "2018 Calder Cup playoffs Wilkes-Barre /Scranton Penguins Player Bios and Season Stats" (PDF). wbspenguins.com. 26 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  9. "With Derick Brassard out with an injury, Teddy Blueger makes NHL debut". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  10. "Penguins' Teddy Blueger back in the lineup after short minor league stay | TribLIVE.com". triblive.com.
  11. "Penguins Re-Sign Forward Teddy Blueger to a Two-Year Contract". NHL.com.
  12. "Teddy Blueger picks up first NHL goal and impresses his coach". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  13. Cole, Brian (3 May 2017). "BLUEGER JOINS TEAM LATVIA AFTER EXPECTATION-SHATTERING SEASON". wbspenguins.com. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  14. Merk, Martin (10 May 2018). "Latvia adds Blugers". new-iihf.com. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  15. "Roberts Blueger". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  16. "Awards - NCAA (WCHA) First All-Star Team". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
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