E-Mac's 2011 NHL Entry Draft Top 120: Mike Paliotta #65

By Eldon MacDonald

65. Mike Paliotta - “Top Cat” - D - USA

Vitals: Size - 6’3”, 198 lb.; Shoots right; Born 16-Apr-93 - West Port CT
Team: USA NDP U18, USHL
2010-11 Stats: 52-1-12-13-71 + U18 - 6-0-1-1-2-(-2)

Rankings:
65 - E-Mac's 2011 NHL Entry Draft Top 120
67 - Cory Pronman's Top 100
112 - NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings (86th North American skater)
132 - Christopher Ralph's Top 210
Draft result:
69 - Chicago Black Hawks

You want a big, right-handed shutdown defenseman with a good first pass and a good shot who skates very well for a big guy - Mike Paliotta may be your man. Mike does not appear to have major offensive potential but guys with his size and reach who can play a shutdown role against the other team’s top lines are a commodity in short supply with lots of worth. The NHL has him 4th round, Bob MacKenzie’s January poll of scouts had him 2nd round and I have him early 3rd round - but count on him going earlier rather than later.

Mike is committed to play at the University of Vermont Catamounts next year.
Mike is in no way a finished product but he has learned a lot going through the NDP program. Scouts are hoping that when he finally fills out and learns to use his “God-given” physical tools to their full extent that he will be able to be “Billy-Goat-Gruff” every night, ouch!!!