Another Penn State hockey star opted to join the pro ranks on Saturday evening, when defenseman Cole Hults inked a two-year, entry-level deal with the Los Angeles Kings, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2017.

Hults, opting to forgo his senior season, finished his third year with the Nittany Lions with 30 points to lead all Big Ten defensemen. He is a finalist for the Big Ten Player of the Year award, which has still yet to be announced.

Hults, touted as a low-risk, high-reward player by Guy Gadowsky and his coaching staff, finished the season tied for fourth among the nation's defensemen with a +23 rating.

Despite playing more minutes than any other defenseman on Penn State's roster, opposing teams scored just 17 goals with Hults on the ice.

A contributor from the onset, Hults will finish his Penn State career with 17 goals and 61 assists. Throughout his 111 career games, the Nittany Lions were +48 with Hults on the ice.

He is the fifth Nittany Lion to sign a pro deal this offseason and the second to choose to forgo his senior season, joining Evan Barratt, who signed with the Chicago Blackhawks.

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