The OHL season is back in full swing after the holiday break and with it is our weekly 3 stars among draft eligible players from the OHL. So here are your 3 stars from last week:
1st Star - Dylan Blujus - Brampton Battalion : The Battalion are having a surprising season in the eyes of many and Dylan Blujus has been a huge part of it all season long, not just last week and being named our 1st star. The Battalion began the week on the road in Barrie with a 4-3 shootout loss. Blujus contributed 2 assists in that game. That was followed by a 4-1 home victory over Mississauga with Blujus getting a goal and an assist. His goal was also the game winning goal. They closed out the week with a 4-2 win over Belleville with Blujus notching an assist, that coming on the game winner.
2nd Star - Brett Welychka - London Knights : The Knights are missing several players at the WJC and the WJC U17 and this was Welychka's time to shine. London opened the week with a 6-1 bouncing by the Plymouth Whalers in which Welychka was pointless. He followed that up with 2 goals in a 7-3 win over the Sarnia Sting. He closed out the week with 2 goals and an assist in the rematch with Sarnia - a 3-0 London win in which one goal was a shorthanded goal. Playing in just his 20th game of the season, Welychka now has 4 goals and 3 assists in his last 5 games.
3rd Star - Daniel Altshuller - Oshawa Generals : It was a solid week for Altshuller who posted 3 consecutive wins beginning with a 31 save performance in a 4-1 victory over the Erie Otters. That was followed by a 27 save performance in a 5-2 win over the Kingston Frontenacs. He closed out the week with 39 saves in a 4-3 win over the Owen Sound Attack. Altshuller is behind only Malcolm Subban among draft eligible goaltenders in goals against average and save percentage.
As always, for previous week winners and a list of voters, click in the "3 stars" tab at the top of the page.
Showing posts with label Dylan Blujus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dylan Blujus. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Draft Eligible Statistical Update
With the season back underway after the holiday break and another OHL week completed, we have updated the statistical leaders for first time draft eligible players in the Ontario Hockey League. (Click the Stats tab at the top of this page).
Guelph's Matt Finn and Brampton's Dylan Blujus continue to climb up the scoring ranks for defensemen while still playing solid defensive games and are starting to draw a lot of attention from NHL scouts. Cody Ceci still leads all defensemen in goals, assists and points but has stumbled lately, possibly a let down from being cut from Team Canada ?
Despite only playing 26 games, Nail Yakupov of Sarnia still leads all players in goals, assists and points but Belleville's Brendan Gaunce only trails Yakupov by 1 goal as of Sunday, although he has played in 36 games. Owen Sound's Gemel Smith continues to create chances every time he's on the ice but the finish hasn't been there for he and his teammates.
Despite missing the last three games, Malcolm Subban of the Bulls leads all goaltenders in save percentage and goals against average.
Coming up tomorrow, we'll have the three stars for the week now that the season is back in full swing. On Wednesday we'll release my rankings for the top 20 skaters and top 5 goaltenders as of the end of December 2011, and we'll take a brief look at what's going on at the World Junior Championships. And later on in the week, we'll continue profiling players we haven't as of yet.
Guelph's Matt Finn and Brampton's Dylan Blujus continue to climb up the scoring ranks for defensemen while still playing solid defensive games and are starting to draw a lot of attention from NHL scouts. Cody Ceci still leads all defensemen in goals, assists and points but has stumbled lately, possibly a let down from being cut from Team Canada ?
Despite only playing 26 games, Nail Yakupov of Sarnia still leads all players in goals, assists and points but Belleville's Brendan Gaunce only trails Yakupov by 1 goal as of Sunday, although he has played in 36 games. Owen Sound's Gemel Smith continues to create chances every time he's on the ice but the finish hasn't been there for he and his teammates.
Despite missing the last three games, Malcolm Subban of the Bulls leads all goaltenders in save percentage and goals against average.
Coming up tomorrow, we'll have the three stars for the week now that the season is back in full swing. On Wednesday we'll release my rankings for the top 20 skaters and top 5 goaltenders as of the end of December 2011, and we'll take a brief look at what's going on at the World Junior Championships. And later on in the week, we'll continue profiling players we haven't as of yet.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Dylan Blujus
6'3" -193 LBS
D.O.B. January 22, 1994
Blujus was somewhat of an unknown when he was selected in the third round, 60th overall, in the 2010 OHL Priority Draft. A product of the Buffalo Regals Midget squad, he played in 47 games contributing 5 goals and 17 assists.
At the time of his draft, Blujus described himself as a defensive defenseman. He is on the NHL Central Scouting's B List of players to watch from the OHL this season, his second with the Battalion. During his rookie campaign he scored 4 times and added 22 assists in 67 games.
Blujus however, underestimates his offense, more so than the people that watch him play. He already quarterbacks a power play. He makes great passes that always seem to find his teammates. And he possesses the hockey smarts needed to succeed. Brampton is off to a somewhat surprising start and part of that success can be attributed to Blujus. He is tied for the team lead in goals (4), points (7) and plus/minus (+6) in 8 games.
He already possesses good size at 6'3" but will need to add more bulk. Defensively he is very sound positionally and makes the hard plays look simple. He has an active stick, battles hard and has an excellent work ethic. Some believe he could be more physical and the fact he has zero penalty minutes proves that. But the team as a whole takes fewer penalties, ranking near the bottom in team penalty minutes.
No one can predict with certainty that he can maintain his current pace, but with more than a handful of top notch defensemen available for the NHL draft in 2012, watching what Blujus will do for the remainder of the season will be pure enjoyment.
Photo compliments of buffaloregals.net
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
2012 Draft Could Be About Defense
Every year, a player jumps out of nowhere to climb up NHL draft charts, or at least higher than expected. Think Mark Scheifele in 2011. Or Jeff Skinner in 2010.
In 2012, you could be looking at a defenseman to make that jump. Or Quite possibly a goaltender. The OHL hasn't produced a high profile goaltender in the last few years, at least in his draft year. Malcolm Subban (Belleville) and Daniel Altshuller (Oshawa) were the early favorites coming into the season but Matt Murray (Soo Greyhounds) has opened a lot of eyes through the first few weeks of the season.
While Subban has struggled and even given up starts, Altshuller has come as advertised and then some. But Murray has exceeded even his highest expectations.
But the biggest surprise could come from the defense. It is quite possible that we will see half a dozen defensemen taken in the first round, and that is from the OHL alone. Early favorites Nick Ebert (Windsor), Cody Ceci (Ottawa) and Slater Koekkoek (Peterborough) should be there.
It's the next tier where it gets interesting. Olli Maatta is starting to find his groove in London. Jesse Graham is struggling right now in Niagara but should rebound. Alex Gudbranson is in a tough situation in Kingston, where many expect them to finish last.
On the rise is Dylan Blujus who currently leads all defensemen in goals with 4 in 6 games. Matt Finn who is as pleasant a surprise as his Brampton Battalion, is tied for points with Ceci among first time draft eligible defensemen with 8 in 7 games.
One thing is for certain, NHL scouts will have their eyes full with these kids.
In 2012, you could be looking at a defenseman to make that jump. Or Quite possibly a goaltender. The OHL hasn't produced a high profile goaltender in the last few years, at least in his draft year. Malcolm Subban (Belleville) and Daniel Altshuller (Oshawa) were the early favorites coming into the season but Matt Murray (Soo Greyhounds) has opened a lot of eyes through the first few weeks of the season.
While Subban has struggled and even given up starts, Altshuller has come as advertised and then some. But Murray has exceeded even his highest expectations.
But the biggest surprise could come from the defense. It is quite possible that we will see half a dozen defensemen taken in the first round, and that is from the OHL alone. Early favorites Nick Ebert (Windsor), Cody Ceci (Ottawa) and Slater Koekkoek (Peterborough) should be there.
It's the next tier where it gets interesting. Olli Maatta is starting to find his groove in London. Jesse Graham is struggling right now in Niagara but should rebound. Alex Gudbranson is in a tough situation in Kingston, where many expect them to finish last.
On the rise is Dylan Blujus who currently leads all defensemen in goals with 4 in 6 games. Matt Finn who is as pleasant a surprise as his Brampton Battalion, is tied for points with Ceci among first time draft eligible defensemen with 8 in 7 games.
One thing is for certain, NHL scouts will have their eyes full with these kids.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)