The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have agreed to terms with defenseman Michael Paliotta (pahl-ee-AW-tuh) on a two-year contract.

The Blackhawks’ third-round selection (70th overall) in the 2011 National Hockey League Draft, Paliotta finished the 2014-15 season with a team-high 36 points (9G, 27A) in 41 games with Hockey East’s University of Vermont. The 21-year-old paced the club with 151 shots on goal and a +15 plus/minus rating during his senior campaign. He was named a 2015 Second-Team All-Hockey East selection and received the Old Time Hockey Best Defensive Defenseman award. Paliotta’s 36 points ranked sixth in the NCAA in defensive scoring.

The Westport, Conn., native ranked third on Vermont with 27 points (5G, 22A) in 38 games last season during his junior year. He recorded 15 points (1G, 14A) and 77 PIM in 60 games with the U.S. National Team Development Program U18 club.

Paliotta helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2011 U18 World Junior Championship, tallying one assist and two PIM in six games. He also won gold at the 2010 U17 World Hockey Challenge with Team USA, recording two helpers in six tilts.