As a defenceman, Josh Hartley has built a reputation for smart positional play while being skilled with the puck.

Now, the Coquitlam native will be going green - beginning next year as a member of the Dartmouth Big Green college hockey team.

The six-foot-two defence-man accepted a scholarship offer from the Div. 1 program last month, following a hot start to the 2012-13 North American Hockey League season.

The 20-year-old blueliner has posted 13 points over 14 games with the Wenatchee Wild, joining the club after his Dawson Creek squad folded over the summer.

"It's a really good feeling," Hartley said in a press release. "It's something I've been working toward for quite a few years."