Report: UVM Denies Rumours

The University of Vermont is denying reports that defenseman Michael Paliotta and forward Connor Brickley are close to signing with the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Rumours have recently begun to surface that the two would be leaving college and joining the Sea Dogs. Both L’Acadie Nouvelle and the Shawinigan newspaper L’Hebdo du St-Maurice reported the rumours this weekend.

According to SportingVermont.com, the University of Vermont is stating that these reports are false.

The University of Vermont has declared reports from Quebec media outlets stating that UVM men’s hockey players Connor Brickley and Michael Paliotta will depart the team to sign professional deals with the Saint John’s Sea Dogs are false, according to a statement from a UVM official. 

A report from L’Acadie Nouvelle stated that the pair of Catamounts were in negotiations with the QMJHL club, while L’Hebdo du St-Maurice claimed the sides were close to an agreement.

The Sea Dogs own the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League rights to both players. Paliotta was selected by the Sea Dogs in the 10^th round, 180^th overall in the 2010 QMJHL Entry Draft while Brickley was selected in the seventh round, 124^th overall last year.

Paliotta, 18, was a third round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft. In 16 games with Vermont this year, he has a goal and four assists.

Brickley was a second round pick of the Florida Panthers in 2010. In 15 games with Vermont this year, he has eight goals and two assists. Brickley, 19, is currently in Alberta taking part in Team USA's world junior training camp. 

All of these rumours come just days after Charlie Coyle left Boston University to sign with the Dogs. This is all very bizarre.

In other potential roster changing news, the QMJHL trade deadline opens tomorrow.