2 UND Hockey Players Leave For NHL

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Two more underclassmen on the national champion University of North Dakota men's hockey team are leaving for the professional ranks.

The school says junior center Luke Johnson has signed a contract with the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks, and junior defenseman Paul LaDue has signed with the Los Angeles Kings.

Chicago drafted Johnson in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL draft. Los Angeles drafted LaDue in the sixth round of the 2012 draft.

Both players will forgo their final year of college eligibility. They join two other UND juniors who are leaving early. Defenseman Troy Stecher signed earlier with the Vancouver Canucks, and defenseman Keaton Thompson signed with the Anaheim Ducks.

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