They weren’t the flashy scorers. For the most part, they didn’t constantly dominate headlines.

They just quietly practiced hard each day and played harder in games.

The Michigan hockey team’s senior class was the backbone of the team for much of its four years in Ann Arbor. Now, its members are ready to leave the cozy confines of Yost Ice Arena for professional arenas.

Defenseman and captain Mark Mitera was, unsurprisingly, the first of the six-player corps to ink a deal. On Monday, Mitera signed a three-year entry level contract with the Anaheim Ducks. He reported to the Iowa Chops, the Ducks’ AHL affiliate immediately after signing the contract. Mitera had been Anaheim’s first-round draft pick (19th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Level Draft.

Mitera, who missed all but eight games of this season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury, returned to the Wolverines in time for the final series of the regular season on Feb. 27-28.

He posted a 1-2-3 scoring line in the eight games he competed in this season, which includes five playoff appearances. Mitera’s strongest season was 2007-08, when he led Michigan to the Frozen Four and was named Inside College Hockey’s defenseman of the year.

Mitera might be the Wolverines’ highest-profile senior, but he won’t be the only one continuing his hockey career after Michigan.

Today, senior forward Brandon Naurato signed with the Stockton Thunder, an affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers in the ECHL. According to the Stockton's press release, Naurato is scheduled to make his professional debut on Friday against the Las Vegas Wranglers.

"Brandon comes from a tremendous program at Michigan where they've had a lot success in winning and producing good players," Thunder head coach Matt Thomas said through the Stockton media department. "He possesses a real good shot, he's a hard worker and a heart-and-soul kind of player."

In his 129-game career at Michigan, Naurato posted a 32-32-64 scoring line as a left winger with a variety of linemates.

As a senior, he played as a third- and fourth-line forward, often with fellow senior Danny Fardig. Naurato scored six goals in 25 games this season.

Senior forward Tim Miller is expected to sign with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL later today or tomorrow.

Keep checking www.michigandaily.com for more contract news.