Before he was a second-round selection in the 2008 NHL draft and a key component on the Minnesota Wild blue line, Marco Scandella just wanted to play hockey in Italy with his brother.

It wasn't your typical NHL dream, but with an older brother starring on the ice in their ancestral homeland, it made perfect sense for the Montreal native.

"My brother has always been a special player. I've always looked up to him," Scandella said. "From a young age, even when we played outdoors at the park, he's always been my mentor."

He might not be a household name among NHL fans, but Giulio Scandella was an established international player years before his younger brother was drafted by the Wild.

Almost seven years older than Marco, Giulio played junior hockey in Quebec before launching his pro career in Italy. It wasn't a conventional start. Still, his Italy-born parents were thrilled.

"My father is an old-school, off-the-boat Italian. Once I started playing there, especially on the national team, he was the proudest guy around. It was great," said Giulio, 32. "I came over halfway through my final junior year. Who knew there was good hockey being played in Italy?"

Italy was an intriguing hockey destination when Giulio arrived in 2004. With the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics approaching, North American players were looking to earn an Italian passport and play for the Italian national team, which as host nation earned a wild-card entry into the Olympic tournament.

Having been issued his Italian passport as a child, Giulio became a top young player in the burgeoning Italian league shortly after his arrival in Asiago. Within a couple of years, he was a prominent forward on the Italian national team. He even set up Italy's first goal in Torino, a second-period equalizer against a stacked Canadian squad starring the likes of Joe Sakic, Martin Brodeur, Jarome Iginla and Chris Pronger. With his parents in the stands, it was a special moment, even if Canada won the game 7-2.

Giulio Scandella, right, has been playing in Italy for 11 seasons. foppa/hcp/optic rapid

But the transition to life in Italy wasn't seamless. Though the league has developed local talent in recent years, it wasn't yet fully formed in 2004 -- a fact that dawned on a 20-year-old Giulio in one of his first games with Asiago HC.

"We play a game in a little town, the tiniest town and this rink is open on three sides and it's freezing out. Half the stands are covered in snow. It was the weirdest thing," Giulio said. "But it was a great game, and as the season went on we had a great time and the hockey was good."

Giulio would play in a few European leagues, but much of his pro career has been in Italy, where he has established himself as a league star and national-team fixture. He's consistently been among the league's top scorers and has led Italy to a pair of Group B World Championships.

While older brother was becoming a star in Italy's modest hockey market, younger brother Marco worked to establish himself. Giulio had played a crucial part in Marco's hockey development, but Giulio's move to Europe was admittedly difficult for both brothers, who remain incredibly close despite their age difference.

"It was really tough to see him leave. You lose your best friend, your older brother. I just always looked up to him, so it was kind of tough. But he would come back in the summer and train," said Marco, 25. "Now that I'm playing in the NHL, I still look for words of wisdom from him."

That wisdom certainly helped as Marco established himself with the Wild. Handed more responsibility last season, he posted career highs with 11 goals and 23 points. His four game-winning goals ranked third among NHL defensemen. All the while, big brother has been watching closely from another continent.

"He was always a solid player, but no one really looked at him and said he has potential to play in the NHL," Giulio said. "He's always had that drive to be the best. That's one quality that's definitely brought him to where he is today."

That drive truly paid off last November when Marco signed a five-year, $20 million contract extension.

Marco Scandella signed a five-year, $20 million contract extension last year. Bruce Kluckhohn/Getty Images

Giulio wasn't there to celebrate the big day. With their schedules conflicting, the brothers mostly hear about each other's exploits after the fact. When their parents traveled to the Torino Olympics to watch Giulio play, Marco stayed home to fulfill his commitment to his midget team.

But they've never stopped rooting for each other.

"I always thought he was good enough to play [in North America]. I still do now that he is older," Marco said. "He's a big reason why I'm here today doing what I'm doing. He's always been there for me and taught me the things to do to be a good pro."

For his part, Giulio doesn't seem preoccupied with what-ifs. He's carved out an impressive career for himself in one of the world's most beautiful countries. In his fourth season with Val Pusteria HC and 11th overall in Italy, he's enjoyed his life in the adopted home where he and his wife, Stephanie, are raising two daughters. And there are no qualms about living in Brunico, the scenic northern town in the Puster Valley mere miles from the borders of Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia.

"Honestly, I'd have to say it's one of the nicest places to live, especially with a family. It's just gorgeous," Giulio said. "As you get older, you kind of realize and learn to appreciate your situation. I'm blessed to have the career that I've had so far. It's been great."

Marco Scandella's childhood dream of playing with his brother in Italy might never come to pass. For now, he can only think about his big brother from 5,000 miles away with incredible gratitude, and maybe just a little jealousy.

"He's got the good food in Italy, the scenery. He can't complain. He's done great for himself and he's going to continue to do great things," Marco said. "I'm just lucky to have him as my brother."