Amid reported interest from 20 National Hockey League teams, Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs defenceman Neal Pionk has signed with the New York Rangers.

The team confirmed the signing on Monday.

A native of Hermantown, Minnesota, Pionk had seven goals and 27 assists in 42 games for the Bulldogs. Minnesota-Duluth reached the Frozen Four final last month, but fell to the Denver Pioneers, 3-2.

In February, ESPN's Craig Custance reported that interest in the 5'11 rearguard was intensifying.

 Undrafted, Pionk attended Washington Capitals development camp in 2015, but returned to school.

This marks the second straight year in which the Rangers made a high-profile NCAA signing. The team came to terms with Harvard's Jimmy Vesey last August.