Nick Blankenburg Bio
Nick Blankenburg (born May 12, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who has played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He most recently played for the Nashville Predators organization. He previously played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and began his professional career after an accomplished four-year collegiate career at the University of Michigan. Blankenburg earned the Big Ten Medal of Honor during his senior season and established himself as a productive two-way defenseman at the NCAA level before advancing to professional hockey.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Blankenburg was born on May 12, 1998, in Washington, Michigan, United States. He grew up in Michigan and attended Romeo High School, where he developed into a standout hockey player. During his senior year at Romeo High School, Blankenburg served as team captain and recorded an impressive 35 goals and 32 assists in just 30 games. His exceptional performance helped lead the Bulldogs to their first state championship in school history in 2016, a significant achievement that showcased his ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
Path to Professional Hockey
After graduating from Romeo High School in 2016, Blankenburg attempted to join the North American Hockey League but was not successful in his first two tryouts. Undeterred, he tried out for and made the Victory Honda 18U team in Plymouth, Michigan, with one year of AAA hockey eligibility remaining. During the 2016-17 season, Blankenburg made a pivotal switch from forward to defense to fill a needed position on the team, a change that would define his future career. He recorded ten goals and 18 assists in 32 games with Victory Honda. Following his time there, he was scouted by the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League and played for them during the 2017-18 season, recording 16 goals and 26 assists in 57 games. His strong play with Okotoks caught the attention of University of Michigan scouts, earning him an offer to continue his hockey career at the collegiate level.
Nick Blankenburg Career
Collegiate Career (2018-2022)
Blankenburg began his collegiate career as a walk-on player for the University of Michigan during the 2018-19 season. He scored his first collegiate goal on November 10, 2018, in a game against Notre Dame and finished his freshman year with two goals and eight assists in 34 games. During his sophomore season in 2019-20, he recorded four goals and 12 assists in 35 games and earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition. Blankenburg continued his development and was named an alternate captain for the 2020-21 season. In his junior year, he recorded five goals and eight assists in 26 games, ranking sixth in the Big Ten Conference in defenseman scoring with 13 points. He also ranked third in the Big Ten and tenth nationally in plus-minus at plus-19, earning another Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection.
On September 16, 2021, Blankenburg was named team captain for the 2021-22 season, becoming the first walk-on in program history to receive a scholarship that same year. He delivered a career-best performance, recording 14 goals and 15 assists in 38 games. His 14 goals tied the Michigan program record for most goals in a single season by a senior defenseman, and he ranked second among all NCAA defensemen in goals and power play goals. He was named Big Ten First Star of the Week in late November after recording five points during a weekend series against Niagara. Following the season, he was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten for the third time and was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award. Blankenburg finished his Michigan career with 25 goals, 44 assists, a plus-52 rating, and three game-winning goals in 133 games.
Columbus Blue Jackets (2022-2024)
On April 8, 2022, Blankenburg signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the remainder of the 2021-22 NHL season. He made his NHL debut for the Blue Jackets on April 13, 2022. In his sixth NHL game on April 24, Blankenburg scored his first career NHL goal, a game-winning power play marker in a 5-2 victory against the Edmonton Oilers. On July 15, 2022, he signed a two-year, $1.65 million extension with Columbus. During the 2023-24 season, he recorded one goal in 12 games for the Blue Jackets and appeared in 24 games for their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, where he recorded three goals and ten assists.
Nashville Predators (2024-Present)
On July 1, 2024, Blankenburg signed a two-year contract with the Nashville Predators. He began the 2024-25 season with the Predators’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. On November 27, 2024, he was recalled by the Predators and made his NHL debut for the team later that night. Before his recall, he had recorded three goals and five assists in 13 games for the Admirals.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Blankenburg has developed a reputation as a two-way defenseman who contributes offensively while maintaining responsible defensive play. His collegiate career demonstrated his ability to produce at both ends of the ice, as evidenced by his plus-52 career rating at Michigan and his top-ten national ranking in plus-minus during his junior year. His transition from forward to defense during his junior career provided him with offensive instincts that set him apart from traditional defensive players.
Notable Achievements
Among Blankenburg’s notable achievements are the Big Ten Medal of Honor, awarded in 2022 for excellence in athletics and academics. He tied the University of Michigan program record for goals by a senior defenseman in a single season with 14 during his final collegiate year. His path from walk-on to team captain at Michigan, combined with his NHL debut and first career goal against Edmonton, represent significant milestones in his development as a professional player.
Nick Blankenburg Career Highlights
Blankenburg has built his professional career through steady progression from junior hockey to college hockey to the NHL. His collegiate career produced 69 total points in 133 games, including a career-high 29 points during his senior season. At the professional level, he has appeared in NHL games with both Columbus and Nashville organizations, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest level of professional hockey.
NHL Career Summary
Blankenburg made his NHL debut in April 2022 with Columbus and scored his first career NHL goal later that same month against Edmonton. His two-year, $1.65 million extension with Columbus in July 2022 reflected the organization’s confidence in his potential. After parts of two seasons with Columbus, he joined Nashville in July 2024 and has continued to work toward establishing himself as a regular NHL contributor.
College and Junior Achievements
At Michigan, Blankenburg was recognized as a three-time Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection and earned the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor. He served as team captain during his senior season and was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award. In junior hockey, he helped lead Romeo High School to its first state championship in 2016 and posted productive numbers with the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League before his collegiate career.
Nick Blankenburg Family
Family Background
Blankenburg comes from a hockey family. His older brother, Alex Blankenburg, played college ice hockey for Omaha from 2015 to 2019, following a similar path to collegiate hockey that Nick would later take at Michigan. Having a brother with prior experience at the college hockey level likely contributed to Nick’s development and understanding of the pathway to professional hockey.
Personal Life
Beyond his hockey career, Blankenburg is known for his Christian faith and regularly attends church. He has spoken publicly about his faith, which has been a grounding influence throughout his hockey journey. His background as a walk-on at Michigan and his steady progression through the ranks of hockey demonstrate his character and commitment to his craft.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2025, Blankenburg enters his third full professional season and remains under contract with Nashville through 2026. His journey from a Michigan walk-on to an NHL defenseman with international experience reflects his dedication to continuous improvement. The 2025 season presents an opportunity for Blankenburg to establish himself as a regular contributor on the Predators blue line following his recall from Milwaukee during the previous season.
His career statistics include 69 points in 133 career games at Michigan and multiple NHL appearances across two organizations. Blankenburg’s combination of offensive production and defensive responsibility, combined with his experience captaining Michigan, provides him with the foundation to compete for increased ice time in Nashville. His performance during the 2025 season will be critical in determining his long-term role within the Predators organization.