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Alaska defenseman Colton Parayko signs with St. Louis Blues

Early departure season picks up steam. The 6'5", 224 lbs Parayko will forego his senior season to go pro.

By Nathan Wells
There's probably an Alaska singing the blues pun to be made, but instead we'll take the high road like Marty Brodeur.
There's probably an Alaska singing the blues pun to be made, but instead we'll take the high road like Marty Brodeur.
Jeff Curry/Getty Images

University of Alaska defenseman Colton Parayko will forego his senior season and turn pro.

The St. Louis Blues signed the junior days after the end of Alaska's season.  Parayko, who had 23 points (6G-17A) in 34 games, will report to the Blues' AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves.

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NCAA adds to Alaska's punishments

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Rather than accepting the Nanooks cutting 2 scholarships as self-punishment, the NCAA decided to add more; including a postseason ban.

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Eye on the Future: Colton Parayko, Alaska NCAA adds to Alaska's punishments

Alaska's season came to an end Saturday with a 3-2 win over in-state rival Alaska-Anchorage. The Nanooks finished fourth of ten teams in WCHA standings, however, thanks to NCAA sanctions were ineligible for both the WCHA conference tournament and Frozen Four.

Parayko had 66 points in 104 career games over three years. Listed at 6'5", 224 lbs, he was SB Nation College Hockey's 16th-best NHL prospect this season.

From the post:

Parayko is a monster-sized defenseman with surprising offensive gifts for a player of his size. The Nanooks rely on him to play big minutes in every situation, every night and he really helps carry his team. His big reach makes him tough to skate around in the defensive end, and he isn't afraid to play a physical game as well.

The St. Louis Blues drafted Parayko with the 86th pick in the 2012 NHL Draft.