4th year defenseman Michael Paliotta(40) signs a 2nd AHL contract for 2018/2019 joining Stockton Heat to help them get back into the playoff picture.
He comes off a very uneasy year with Toronto Marlies before being traded early to Texas Stars and played a career low 25 games scoring a goal and three assists.
The big 6’3″ 205 lbs. blue liner was a fairly strong scorer in his final two seasons at University Of Vermont putting up 20+ assists and graduated as team captain.
Originally a Chicago Blackhawks‘ 3rd round pick in the 2011 draft (#70 overall), he skated his first NHL game after graduating, grabbing his only point, an assist.
He also skated with the team in their 2015 Stanley Cup Championship run.
Traded to Columbus Blue Jackets as part of a deal after that win, he also played one midseason big league game with them before being returned to Cleveland Monsters, where he helped them with the 2016 Calder Cup.
The 25-year old will definitely need a strong campaign with his new club to set up a next quality move, which could find him taking his game overseas.