Paliotta Rumors Begin Again

The Michael Paliotta rumours suddenly picked up steam again last night thanks to a few tweets from Joe Meloni of CollegeHockeyNews.com.

Source telling me Saint John's interest in Vermont D-man Michael Paliotta has re-emerged. Paliotta spent last week at Blackhawks dev camp.

— Joe Meloni (@CHNJoeMeloni) July 13, 2012

Saint John went after Paliotta and Vermont teammate Conor Brickley hard last year around same time they signed Charlie Coyle from BU.

— Joe Meloni (@CHNJoeMeloni) July 13, 2012

There were rumours last December that Paliotta, along with Vermont teammate Connor Brickley, would leave the University of Vermont to join the Sea Dogs. The university instantly denied those reports. Neither would go on to join the Sea Dogs.

“Even if they have some interest, I think it's unlikely Paliotta goes,” Meloni added. “Think he would've went last year if he really wanted to. Even if UVM struggles again, Chicago has let a lot of guys stay in school. Can't think of any Blackhawks picks who left NCAA for CHL.”

Things have certainly changed in Saint John since December. They have a new head coach and a new core of players. If ice time was ever an issue Paliotta, a third round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Draft, would get plenty this year with the rebuilding Dogs.

I certainly wouldn't go out and buy a Paliotta Sea Dogs jersey just yet. It makes sense that Saint John's interest has re-emerged because they have plenty of holes to fill in their lineup and we all know Mike Kelly is always working at landing impact players. It's just common sense that the Dogs would be inquiring to see if he wanted to make the shift to junior.

The defenseman from Westport, Connecticut registered four goals and six assists in 30 games with the Vermont Catamounts last season. Vermont finished last in the Hockey East conference with a record of 3-23-1 and an overall record of 6-27-1.

Paliotta was selected by the Sea Dogs in the 10th round, 180th overall in the 2010 QMJHL Entry Draft.