MINNEAPOLIS — Two more Gopher hockey players are leaving the team for the pros.

The Gophers announced Wednesday that leading scorer Nick Bjugstad has elected to forego his senior season at Minnesota after signing an entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers, who selected him in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft (19th overall).

Team captain Zach Budish signed has an amateur tryout deal with the Milwaukee Admirals, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Nashville Predators, who drafted Budish in the second round (41st overall pick) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

They follow Nate Schmidt, who signed with the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.