Senior defenseman and captain of the men’s hockey team signed a 2-year deal with the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks.

Mike Paliotta was a third round selection, taken 70th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft, according the the Blackhawks’ website.

The Westport, Connecticut native was ranked sixth in the nation in defensemen scoring, with 36 points, according to Hockey East archives. He was the first defenseman to lead Vermont in scoring since the 1977-78 season, according to UVM athletics.

“The Blackhawks are obviously a great organization,” Paliotta said to an ESPN reporter. “Anywhere you go, it’s going to be a challenge. You’re going to have to beat out guys.”