Nick Perbix Bio
Nicklaus Perbix (born June 15, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). A right-handed shot, he has skated in the NHL since 2022 and represented the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2017, he developed through the United States Hockey League, college hockey at St. Cloud State University, and the American Hockey League before establishing himself at the top level.
Born and raised in Elk River, Minnesota, Perbix built his game as a high-scoring defenseman in school and junior hockey before transitioning into a reliable two-way role at the professional level. Standing 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) and weighing roughly 202 lb (92 kg), he uses his size and mobility to contribute at both ends of the ice.
Early Life and Background
Nicklaus Perbix was born on June 15, 1998, in Elk River, Minnesota. He grew up in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region, an area with a strong youth hockey tradition that produced a steady pipeline of NCAA and NHL talent. His early development took place on local rinks, where he learned the fundamentals of the defensive position and began shaping the offensive instincts that would later define his game.
At Elk River High School, Perbix emerged as one of the top high school defensemen in the state of Minnesota. As a senior, he scored well above a point per game and was named a finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award, given annually to Minnesota’s top senior high school player. That recognition confirmed his status as a top NHL prospect and helped set the stage for his selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Path to Hockey
Selected 169th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2017 NHL Draft, Perbix spent a season with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL), one of the top junior development circuits in North America. The USHL stint allowed him to refine his defensive game against older competition while adjusting to the pace and physicality required at the next level.
After junior hockey, Perbix enrolled at St. Cloud State University, where he joined the Huskies of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). He made an immediate impact, helping St. Cloud State finish atop the conference standings and earning a place on the NCHC All-Rookie Team. When his sophomore season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned the following year and was instrumental in leading the Huskies to the program’s first NCAA championship game appearance, cementing his reputation as a big-stage performer.
Nick Perbix Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Perbix continued to grow offensively during his senior season at St. Cloud State, producing at roughly a point per game for most of the year. When the NHL opted not to release players for the 2022 Winter Olympics because of ongoing COVID-19 concerns, USA Hockey selected him as a member of the United States Olympic team, a notable honor for a college player. He appeared for Team USA at the Beijing Games, gaining valuable international experience against senior competition.
On March 31, 2022, Tampa Bay signed Perbix to a one-year entry-level contract beginning with the 2022–23 season. He was immediately assigned to the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL) on an amateur tryout for the remainder of that season, allowing him to begin his professional career with Tampa Bay’s top affiliate.
Tampa Bay Lightning Breakthrough (2022–2025)
Perbix made his NHL debut on October 18, 2022, with the Tampa Bay Lightning in a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at Amalie Arena. Less than two weeks later, on October 26, 2022, he recorded his first NHL point, an assist, in a 4–2 road win over the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center. On November 5, 2022, he scored his first NHL goal in a 5–3 victory against the Buffalo Sabres, completing a memorable opening month at the top level.
He went on to establish himself as a steady contributor on Tampa Bay’s blueline, logging regular minutes in a top-six defensive role. On January 2, 2023, the Lightning signed him to a two-year contract extension that kept him in the organization through the 2024–25 season, a sign of confidence in his development and his fit within the team’s defensive system.
Across three seasons in the Tampa Bay organization, Perbix grew from a fresh debutant into a dependable two-way defenseman known for his calm puck movement and responsible play in his own zone.
Nashville Predators Era (2025–Present)
At the conclusion of his third NHL season, Perbix departed the Lightning as a free agent. On July 1, 2025, the Nashville Predators signed him to a two-year contract worth $5.5 million, signaling a clear role for him in their defensive group. The move gave Perbix a fresh opportunity to expand his role on a rebuilding Nashville roster.
Now skating for the Predators, Perbix enters the next phase of his career aiming to bring the same steady, mobile defensive game that defined his time in Tampa Bay. His combination of size, right-handed shot, and offensive touch from the back end makes him a valuable piece for Nashville’s long-term plans.
Driving Style and Strengths
Perbix is a right-shot defenseman who blends a 6 ft 3 in frame with smooth skating and active puck distribution. He is comfortable moving the puck up the ice, joining the rush when openings appear, and using his reach and stick detail to break up plays in the defensive zone. His game is built around positioning, smart reads, and reliable special-teams work rather than physical punishment, allowing him to play a balanced two-way role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Perbix’s career include his selection as a Mr. Hockey Award finalist at Elk River High School, representing the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics, making his NHL debut with Tampa Bay in October 2022, and later signing a multi-year free-agent deal with the Nashville Predators in July 2025.
Nick Perbix Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Public information about Nicklaus Perbix’s parents and immediate family is limited. He grew up in Elk River, Minnesota, and his development within the state’s strong hockey culture played a central role in shaping his career path. His progression from Elk River High School to the USHL, NCAA hockey, and the NHL reflects the typical Minnesota pipeline that has produced many American NHL players.
Personal Life
Perbix keeps his personal life largely private. He was born in the United States and continues to reside there while pursuing his NHL career. Verified details about a spouse, partner, or children are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marks a turning point for Perbix. He finished his third season with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization before becoming an unrestricted free agent, then signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Nashville Predators on July 1, 2025. The deal represents his first multi-year pact as a proven NHL defenseman and reflects the growing trust teams have placed in his game.
Heading into the 2025–26 season with Nashville, Perbix is expected to play a regular role on the Predators’ back end, contributing on the penalty kill and offering offensive touch from the blue line. His experience from three Tampa Bay seasons, including NHL playoff exposure, should help stabilize a young Nashville defensive corps.
For Perbix, the 2025 season is about establishing himself as a long-term piece in Nashville’s rebuild, building on the momentum of his first NHL contract and his international resume with Team USA. If he can maintain his two-way consistency, he has a clear path to becoming a top-four defenseman for the Predators.
