Joseph Blandisi has found a home in, well, his home.
After joining the Toronto Marlies in 2021, the Markham, Ont., native is set to begin his fourth season with the squad, the longest he has stayed with one team.
A sixth round pick by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2012 NHL draft, Blandisi bounced around four organizations, between the NHL and the American Hockey League. Now on an AHL contract, he has embraced the challenge and enjoyed every second of it.
“It’s been amazing ever since I got here four years ago,” said the six-foot forward after practice Friday at Coca-Cola Coliseum. “It’s always been a dream of mine to put on blue and white.”
Blandisi’s last stint in the NHL came as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2019-2020 campaign. While far removed from that goal, his homecoming to Toronto has seemed to give him fresh legs.
The 30-year-old has produced a new career high in points in every season with the Marlies, which includes leading the team last year with 59. While gifted offensively, it’s the plays that don’t show on the stat sheet that really stand out, and a key reason why he played in 101 NHL games.
“You’ve got to fight for your ice out there, and he’s one that will,” said Toronto Head Coach John Gruden. “He’s not afraid to go to those areas, and he does a really good job of then making that next play.
“He was one of our leading scorers last year for a reason, and I expect the same agin this season.”
With puck drop for the new campain set for 4 p.m. Saturday, it’s a chance for Blandisi to continue imposing his will on the opposition, while being proud to wear the Marlies crest.
“It’s definitely a sense of responsibility repping my hometown.”
