Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty was drafted 22nd overall in the first round of the 2007 NHL entry draft. Pacioretty played hockey at New Canaan High School his freshman year before switching to The Taft School, a private school located in Watertown Connecticut.

After playing one season for the University of Michigan Max Pacioretty signed a three-year entry level contract with the Canadiens. By doing so Pacioretty forfeited his college career and moved straight to playing in the American Hockey League.

Max Pacioretty played half of his AHL rookie season before being called up to the Canadiens on January 2, 2009. He was then sent down to play in the AHL to work on some things. Max spent the start of the 2010-2011 season in the AHL playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs and put up amazing numbers including 17 goals and 15 assists in 27 games. It wasn't long before he was recalled by the Montreal Canadiens organization during the 2010-2011 season. Pacioretty has yet to look back and has found a spot in the Montreal Canadiens lineup.

Max Pacioretty is a big power forward. When he was first recalled from the Montreal Canadiens he took on a third line grinder role with the team with limited offensive upside mostly due to the fact that he didn't seem to feel comfortable with the fast pace of the NHL. During his second stint with the Hamilton Bulldogs, after being sent down by the Montreal Canadiens, Pacioretty worked on his flaws and grew as an offensive power forward.

His second stint with the Canadiens Max Pacioretty exhibited speed, grit, a big body presence and much offensive upside solidifying a spot on the Canadiens top six.

Max Pacioretty has the potential to be a great hockey player in the NHL. He has a big body, speed and good hockey sense. You'll often see Pacioretty crashing the crease. Given Pacioretty's lack of Hockey experience when compared to other players in the league it's a amazing to see how comfortable he is on the ice. Pacioretty accomplishes this by keeping his game simple but effective.

Max Pacioretty is the first player in Montreal Canadiens history to sport number 67 for the franchise.

On March 8th, 2011 Max Pacioretty was shoved into the stanchion at the end of the bench by Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins. The hit was at full speed and Max was knocked unconscious. He laid motionless on the ice before being carried off in a stretcher. Max Pacioretty was later diagnosed with a fractured fourth cervical vertebra and a severe concussion. Zdeno Chara received a mere five-minute major and a game misconduct.

Much to the dismay of many, the NHL would later rule that the hit was simply a interference call and it was a misfortune that Pacioretty happened to hit the stanchion. Air Canada threatened to remove their sponsorship with the league if the NHL does not take action in an effort to prevent further on ice violence.