Blujus gets closer look into a future in OHL
BRAMPTON, Ont. – The Brampton Battalion hopes defenceman Dylan Blujus adds to the Ontario Hockey League club’s New York state of mind.
Blujus, a 16-year-old Buffalo native, was a third-round choice in the OHL Priority Selection on May 1. He was among three Empire State residents whom the Battalion chose in the 15-round process, joining centre Matt Lane, a Rochester native taken in the fifth round, and Dalton Izyk, a goaltender from Oswego who was tabbed in the 11th.
Lane’s older brother, Philip, a rookie right winger in 2009-10, is the lone returning member of the roster from New York.
Blujus got his first look at the Battalion organization on the weekend as the club held its orientation camp.
“It was exciting,” he said Sunday as the two-day camp, which included fitness testing Saturday, wrapped up with two 45-minute four-on-four games. “It was definitely something new. It was good to be able to play with and against older guys who have had experience in the OHL. I thought I did well, and I thought I was good at moving the puck.”
Blujus was selected from the Buffalo Regals major midgets, with whom he scored five goals and added 17 assists for 22 points in 48 games.
“I haven’t been on the ice much since the season ended, but I have been trying to get out as much as I can. I’ve been playing a lot of baseball.”
Blujus and the younger Lane both contemplated committing to the United States national team development program, based at Ann Arbor, Mich. Lane, who attended the orientation camp but didn’t go on the ice, has decided to play at least one season in the program, while Blujus opted to consider the OHL.
“I know Matt well, and we were both in the same boat,” said Blujus. “We were both looking at the U.S. program. He went that way, and I came here.
“I feel like playing in the OHL is the best route to get to the pros. I think it’s better than playing in the leagues at home. There are better players here. I really like the level of play in the OHL. The games are great to watch, and there are some really exciting players in the league.”
Blujus, a right shot who measures six-foot-three and weighs 188 pounds, acknowledged that he has a lot of work to do over the summer.
“I know I have to work on my strength to get ready for this level. I’ll need to work on my foot speed, too. There will be tough nights for everybody at this level. The key is not to get down on yourself. You just need to play through the tough times.”
Blujus is a friend and former spring hockey teammate of fellow blueliner Marcus McIvor, the Battalion’s first-round pick this year from Ontario’s Whitby Wildcats minor midgets.
“We both have things to work on, but we’re both good players and I think we can both do what we need to do to fit in here.”
Blujus scored one goal as White rallied from a 3-0 deficit to post a 6-5 victory over Green in the first game Sunday. Green’s lone victory of the weekend between the two 18-player squads came in the finale as it held on for a 10-8 decision. Craig Moore and Kyle Pereira of White and Barclay Goodrow of Green each produced five goals in four games to lead camp scorers.
A number of players, including some veterans, were unable to take part because of prior commitments or injury. Izyk did not attend.
The Battalion’s training camp is scheduled Sept. 1-4.
