Blujus, Dylan

We continue our Prospect of the Week award, an honor (virtually) given to one Tampa Bay Lightning prospect for their recent contributions on and off the ice.

The Prospect of the Week for March 19 is … Dylan Blujus, D, Brampton (OHL – Canada).

For years Lightning prospect followers have pounded their fists on their computer tables in demand of a right-handed defenseman capable of impacting a game at both ends of the ice. They got their wish last June when the Bolts selected Brampton (OHL) defenseman Dylan Blujus in the second round (40th overall).

Blujus had just completed a 34-point season with the Battalion and was a prime candidate for a breakout season offensively in 2012-2013.

That hasn’t exactly happened for the young Amherst, New York, native, as he just finished his third OHL season with fewer goals and points than his second season despite playing more games. Not everything shows up on the stat sheet, obviously, and Blujus has further developed his physical game while playing big minutes for a defense-first club.

Ontario Hockey League

Peterborough Petes 2 @ Brampton Battalion 5

D Dylan Blujus, BRAM: 0-2-2, +2, 0 PIM, *First Star*
Season totals: 68 GP, 2-27-29, -8, 57 PIM

Blujus had two assists for the second time this week, helping the Battalion to a regular season-ending 5-2 win over the Petes. The 2012 second rounder was named first star for his efforts. He finishes the regular season with a new career high in penalty minutes. He tied his career high for assists in a season with 27. Fourth-seeded Brampton will play No. 5 Sudbury in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Val-d’Or Foreurs 5 @ Baie-Comeau Drakkar 4

D Artem Sergeev, VDO: 0-0-0, -1, 2 PIM, 1 SOG, 1 Hit
Season totals: 45 GP, 6-25-31, +18, 51 PIM

Sergeev was back after missing Saturday’s game due to a brief suspension. He was scoreless, but his teammates netted three goals in a decisive third period to win, 5-4. Former Lightning prospect camper Brandon Hynes had two goals and two assists for the Foreurs.

Ontario Hockey League

Barrie Colts 3 @ Brampton Battalion 5

D Jake Dotchin, BAR: 0-0-0, -2, 0 PIM
Season totals: 54 GP, 4-17-21, E, 58 PIM
With Barrie: 16 GP, 2-5-7, -1, 19 PIM
With Owen Sound: 38 GP, 2-12-14, +1, 39 PIM

D Dylan Blujus, BRAM: 0-1-1, +2, 0 PIM
Season totals: 56 GP, 2-21-23, -7, 46 PIM

Two streaks ended on Sunday as Dylan Blujus (pictured) snapped his season-long (tie) six-game scoreless streak and Barrie defenseman Jake Dotchin’s career-long four-game point streak came to an end. Brampton scored four times in the second period on 16 shots. They only managed two in the third period.

Ontario Hockey League

Brampton Battalion 1 @ Peterborough Petes 3

D Dylan Blujus, BRAM: 0-0-0, -2, 0 PIM
Season totals: 55 GP, 2-20-22, -9, 46 PIM

Blujus’ scoreless streak is now at six games, which ties his longest streak without a point this season. His rough patch also includes a minus-5 rating over the last four games.

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Gatineau Olympiques 2 @ Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 1 (SO)

C Cedric Paquette, BLB: 0-0-0, -1, 2 PIM, 4 SOG, 2 Hits
Season totals: 50 GP, 20-47-67, +21, 85 PIM

Paquette did not participate in the shootout, which was won by Gatineau, 2-1.

Drummondville Voltigeurs 3 @ Val-d’Or Foreurs 4

D Artem Sergeev, VDO: 0-0-0, +1, 4 PIM, 1 SOG, 1 Hit
Season totals: 40 GP, 6-23-29, +17, 42 PIM

Val-d’Or’s fourth one-goal lead of the game was their final lead of the game as the Foreurs topped the visiting Volts, 4-3. The game featured a full brawl at the 20:00 mark of the third period.

Ontario Hockey League

Brampton Battalion 2 @ Sudbury Wolves 1 (SO)

D Dylan Blujus, BRAM: 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM
Season totals: 53 GP, 2-20-22, -5, 46 PIM

Blujus’ scoreless streak is now at four games, his third longest scoreless streak of the season (6, 5).

Barrie Colts 6 @ Plymouth Whalers 3

D Jake Dotchin, BAR: Did not play
Season totals: 49 GP, 4-12-16, -3, 56 PIM
With Barrie: 11 GP, 2-0-2, -4, 17 PIM
With Owen Sound: 38 GP, 2-12-14, +1, 39 PIM

Dotchin was not in the lineup on Friday. He may have been suspended for his fight last game, which was the last time he was seen in the ice.

Guelph Storm 4 @ Kitchener Rangers 3 (SO)

C/W Tanner Richard, GUE: 0-0-0, +1, 4 PIM
Season totals: 40 GP, 8-44-52, +17, 86 PIM

The shootout only went two rounds after Guelph scored on both their opportunities. Richard was not part of the skills competition. After the game, Guelph celebrated at center ice, which was reportedly – and understandably – not received well.