If you are talented enough to play professional hockey in North America, the location in which you play in is left up to a number of variables.

The draft. Trades. Salary cap issues. Waivers. The list goes on and on. It’s a journey filled with uncertainty.

For Dylan Blujus, this journey led him right back where he started.

Blujus, a 6’3”, 202-lb defenseman, is enjoying his second year with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League. The 22-year-old grew up just a short I-90 west drive away from Syracuse in Buffalo, New York. The ability to consistently see his family on a weekly basis is what Blujus described as a “major perk” in his young career.

“It’s great to be just a short drive away from home,” explained Blujus. “It makes the whole experience a lot better when your family and friends can come see you on a whim versus having to fly out or travel longer distances. I see the family at least once a weekend when we’re home. If we’re here, they are here for at least one game.”

Blujus, who has totaled 7 goals and 25 assists in 97 games with Syracuse, was drafted 40^th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He played junior hockey for his hometown Buffalo Regals before spending four years with the Brampton/North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League.

And before that? Like most kids, the people closest to him played a role in his love for the game.

“My parents and my older brother were by far my biggest influences growing up,” said Blujus. “I watched my older brother play hockey and I immediately fell in love with it. I loved being at his games. My parents supported us both so much.”

The biggest difference between then and now might be Blujus’ transition from diehard fan to professional player.

“Obviously growing up in Buffalo I was a huge Sabres fan,” explained Blujus. “When you are younger you think your fandom will never change. After being drafted by Tampa Bay, I began to get to know the guys in the organization and hang out with them. It’s great following their rise as well from junior to Syracuse or Tampa Bay. I don’t watch Buffalo games anymore. I watch Tampa. Soon, I want to be playing for Tampa.”

In order to make the jump, Blujus believes the biggest key is improving his defensive game and becoming the prototypical two-way defenseman.

“That’s really my game. Being a two-way guy,” claimed Blujus. “I’m not going to wow you with my offensive skill but I will work for my chances while being reliable in my own zone. Good defense leads to offense so if I’m playing well in my own zone we’re going to get some quality chances.”

Making the most of a quality chance was the theme behind Blujus’ signing and rise with the Brampton Battalion.

“Signing with Brampton was a very unique process,” explained Blujus. “I had just tried out for the United States Development Team and was not offered one of the top spots. When I was going through my options someone very close to me knew of Brampton and how they had just lost their top four defensemen. The next day I visited the team and city and I loved it.”

119 points and an OHL Championship appearance later, Blujus merely moved from an hour and a half west to an hour and a half east of Buffalo. An area he believes is an underrated hockey hotbed.

“This area is extremely underestimated,” said Blujus. “We have so many teams in this area in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse. I played on a bunch of different teams. This area provided me with the opportunities to be successful in this sport.”

Home sweet home indeed.