By Nate Ewell

In Developing Story, a regular feature on collegehockeyinc.com, we highlight current college hockey players who have developed their skills during their careers – either on the ice or off – and in turn made a bigger impact on their team’s success.

At the Xcel Energy Center in June 2011, sporting his brand new Chicago Blackhawks jersey and hat, it was easy for third-round NHL Draft pick Mike Paliotta’s thoughts to fast forward into the future.

“Hopefully in the next two or three years I can make the next step,” he said, shortly after being selected. “I really look forward to my development and hope to be a Blackhawk someday soon.”

Four years later, the senior and unanimous selection as captain of the Vermont Catamount is still on campus, preparing for this weekend’s Hockey East playoff series against Maine, and there’s nowhere he’d rather be.

The shift in Paliotta’s timetable wasn’t a product of a lack of opportunity; in fact, the 6-foot-3, 201-pound defenseman has developed into a top prospect for the Blackhawks and certainly could have signed last offseason. Rather, he has gained an appreciation for his surroundings in Burlington and the development he has enjoyed in college hockey.

“I think sometimes kids get so focused on the pro side and the opportunities there that they miss out on where they are,” Paliotta said this week. “At the end of the day, I will graduate with a degree, and graduate with a group of guys I have spent four years with and who have become my best friends. Obviously the hockey’s gone great as well. There’s so much positive to take away from this experience. Definitely no regrets.”

Hockey has certainly gone well for Paliotta at Vermont. A self-described defensive defenseman, he has earned more ice time and developed his offensive skills each year. He’s improved so much, he leads the Catamounts in points, assists, plus/minus and shots this season.

In fact, Kevin Sneddon – in his 17th season as a head coach – pays Paliotta’s development the highest compliment.

“He’s our most improved player, and the most improved player that I have ever coached,” Sneddon told Mike Machnik on Merrimack’s radio broadcast. “Sometimes that’s viewed as a negative – maybe it’s a fourth-line guy or a walk-on who all of a sudden becomes more of a contributor. With Mike I mean it from the standpoint that he came in as a highly touted prospect, but his growth from being a good player as a freshman to, in my opinion, one of the best defensemen in college hockey right now is extraordinary, and he’s done it while leading the team on and off the ice.”

Paliotta acknowledged that improvement, and said that it’s most noticeable to him in an intangible – his confidence.

“The biggest thing for me was confidence,” he said. “Coming in as a freshman, it’s tough to make an impact. Even coming from the National Team, where you play some college games, it’s not the same as a full schedule. As an 18-year-old freshman, it’s really hard and it takes some time to make that kind of impact.

“I’m really excited with how far I’ve come. I feel so much more confident and I can make that much more of an impact than I could four years ago.”

Crediting Kevin Patrick

Paliotta is quick to credit the entire coaching staff at Vermont, but singles out assistant coach Kevin Patrick, who focuses on the team’s defensemen. Always quick to jump on the ice before practice or stay late for individual skill work, Patrick has helped Paliotta tremendously.

A focus for Patrick in the past year, Paliotta said, has been getting pucks past shot blockers and through to the net – “where our forwards can whack away at it,” Paliotta said. After registering 1.51 shots on goal per game as a freshman and sophomore, Paliotta has more than doubled that output as a senior, posting a team-high 3.91 shots per game.

Paliotta’s upward trend as a player has mirrored Vermont’s as a team. After a six-win season his freshman year, the Catamounts could post consecutive 20-win seasons if they get past Maine this weekend.

And while opportunities at the pro level await, Paliotta and his teammates have more to play for with the Catamounts.

“Obviously we’ve made huge strides since our freshman year when we won six games,” he said. “We’re still looking for those trophies, those championships that we set as our goals at the beginning of the year. As far as our impact [as a senior class], we just want to make sure the program continues to move forward.

“It’s definitely exciting. Playoffs are the best time of year, and that’s what you work for all season. We control our own destiny at this point, and that’s all you can ask for. The season feels like it has gone by quickly, and as a senior, it’s bittersweet. It’s been a great four years here.”