Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty
Pacioretty with the Vegas Golden Knights in October 2018
Born	(1988-11-20) November 20, 1988 (age 35) New Canaan, Connecticut, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	217 lb (98 kg; 15 st 7 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Toronto Maple Leafs Montreal Canadiens HC Ambrì-Piotta Vegas Golden Knights Carolina Hurricanes Washington Capitals
National team	United States
NHL draft	22nd overall, 2007 Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	2008–present

Maximillian Kolenda Pacioretty ^[1] (born November 20, 1988) is an American professional ice hockey left winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Pacioretty was drafted in the first round, 22nd overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens; he would go on to captain them for his last three seasons with Montreal and score 30 or more goals in five of the seasons with Montreal. He was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights before the 2018–19 NHL season; although the move revitalized his career, he was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes four seasons later due to the Golden Knights' salary cap complications.

Playing career

Amateur

Pacioretty playing for the University of Michigan

As a youth, Pacioretty played in the 2002 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the New York Rangers minor ice hockey team. ^[2]

Pacioretty played high school hockey at New Canaan High School in which he led the state in points during his freshman year, and then moved on to The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut. Pacioretty then played junior hockey for the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for one season in 2006–07. Following the campaign, Pacioretty was selected in the first round, 22nd overall by the Montreal Canadiens during the 2007 NHL Entry Draft; the pick had been previously acquired by the Canadiens in a trade with the San Jose Sharks. He spent the 2007–08 season with the University of Michigan, recording 15 goals and 38 points in 36 games.^{[ citation needed ]}

On July 17, 2008, Pacioretty signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canadiens. ^[3]

Professional

Montreal Canadiens

Pacioretty made his NHL debut with the Canadiens on January 2, 2009, scoring his first NHL goal on his first NHL shot in a 4–1 loss against the New Jersey Devils. ^[4] Upon his debut, he also became the first player in Montreal's lengthy franchise history to wear jersey number 67. After starting the 2010–11 season playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League (AHL), the Canadiens' top minor league affiliate, Pacioretty was recalled for the second time to the NHL on December 12, 2010. ^[5]

On March 8, 2011, Pacioretty suffered an injury following a hit by Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chára. ^[6] The force and location of the hit resulted in Pacioretty colliding with the stanchion at the end of the bench. He was taken off the ice on a stretcher after lying motionless on the ice for several minutes. ^[7]

The extent of the injury was revealed the next day as a 4th cervical vertebrae (C4) fracture and a grade 2 concussion. One Bruin, Mark Recchi, questioned the severity of the concussion during an interview stating that Pacioretty was at a movie theater four days after the incident. ^[8] For delivering the hit, Chára received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct, and after reviewing videotape of the play the NHL decided no further punishment was warranted. ^[9] However, a criminal investigation was announced by the Montreal Police Service. Additionally, Air Canada threatened to remove its League sponsorship if the NHL did not take any action to prevent further violence on ice. ^[10] Pacioretty recovered in time to start the 2011–12 season with the Canadiens. ^[11]

For Pacioretty's part, he could not remember the incident, but after seeing the tape said that he was "disgusted" that there was no fine or suspension. ^[12] About two months later, he said that he thought Chára regretted his actions and that he forgave him. ^[13]

Pacioretty with Montreal in February 2012

Returning to action during the 2011–12 season, Pacioretty would end the year as the team's points leader, finishing with a career-high 33 goals and 32 assists in 79 games, ^[14] also winning the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for "perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." ^[15] He recorded his first career hat-trick on February 9, 2012, against the New York Islanders. ^[16]

On August 12, 2012, Pacioretty signed a six-year, $27 million contract extension with the Canadiens. ^[17] In September 2012, as a result of the impending labor lockout, he signed a contract to play overseas with Swiss National League A team HC Ambrì-Piotta. ^[18]

On February 6, 2014, Pacioretty became the first Canadien to have two penalty shots awarded in the same game, against the Vancouver Canucks and goaltender Roberto Luongo, ^[19] also becoming just the second player in NHL history to be awarded two penalty shots in the same period. ^[20] These were his second and third NHL career penalty shots, the first occurring earlier in the season on October 12, 2013, coincidentally also against the Canucks and Luongo. ^[21] Pacioretty missed all three penalty shots, but nonetheless still scored a hat trick in the February 6 game. ^[22]

On September 15, 2014, Pacioretty was named an alternate captain of the Canadiens along with P. K. Subban, Tomáš Plekanec and Andrei Markov. ^[23]

On September 18, 2015, Pacioretty was voted by the team to become the 29th captain in Canadiens history after going without a captain in the 2014–15 season with the departure of Brian Gionta. ^[24]

Pacioretty in a game against the New Jersey Devils in January 2015. He was named as an alternate captain for the Montreal Canadiens at the start of the 2014–15 season.

The 2017–18 season was disappointing for the Canadiens, who finished 28th overall in the NHL standings. After four-straight 60+ point seasons, Pacioretty recorded only 37 total points over the season. ^[25] On March 2, 2018, Pacioretty left a game against the New York Islanders due to an injury, ^[26] and a few days later it was announced that Pacioretty suffered a knee injury and was set to be out for four to six weeks. ^[27]

The summer prior to his contract ending, there was speculation the Canadiens were intending to trade Pacioretty. There was a trade in place to send Pacioretty to the Los Angeles Kings during the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, but Pacioretty rejected the trade. He subsequently switched agents. ^[28] Pacioretty confirmed in late August that he hadn't engaged in extensions talks with the club, signaling that the final year of his contract could also be the final year of his tenure with the Canadiens. ^[29]

Vegas Golden Knights

On September 10, 2018, Pacioretty was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Tomáš Tatar, Nick Suzuki, and a 2019 second round draft pick. ^[30] He subsequently signed a four-year, $28 million contract extension with the Golden Knights. ^[31]

Pacioretty made his return to Montreal on November 10, 2018. Prior to the game, the Canadiens aired a video tribute for him, while he received a standing ovation from the fans. Pacioretty recorded nine shots in a 5–4 loss. ^[32] He would finish the season with 22 goals and 18 assists, and add another five goals and six assists during the Golden Knights' seven-game opening round loss to the San Jose Sharks in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. ^[33]

Over the course of four seasons with the Golden Knights, Pacioretty scored 97 goals, forming a key part of the team's offense. In the 2021–22 season he was hampered with a broken wrist and foot, playing only 39 games. ^[34]

Carolina Hurricanes

On July 13, 2022, with the Golden Knights in need of salary cap space, Pacioretty and prospect Dylan Coghlan were traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for future considerations. ^[35]

Just weeks into his tenure with Carolina, Pacioretty suffered a torn Achilles tendon during an offseason workout, necessitating surgery, and ruling him out for the first several months of the 2022–23 season. ^[36] He made his Hurricanes on-ice debut on January 5, 2023 in a 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators and scored two goals in his second game on January 7, 2023 in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. ^[37] Pacioretty played only five games with the team before sustaining a second Achilles tear on January 19 in a game against the Minnesota Wild, effectively ending his season. ^[38]

Washington Capitals

In concluding his contract with the Hurricanes, Pacioretty agreed to a one-year incentive based contract up to $4 million with the Washington Capitals on the opening day of free agency for the 2023–24 season on July 1, 2023. ^[39] Pacioretty again missed some time due to his second Achilles tendon injury, not debuting with Washington until January 3, 2024, and reportely contemplated retirement in the time leading up to his debut. ^[40] With the Capitals middling as the NHL trade deadline approached, rumors began to circulate that Pacioretty may waive his no-move clause to be sent to a playoff contender. ^[41] Ultimately, Pacioretty refused to waive his no-movement clause despite several trade offers, saying he wanted to 'finish what [he] started' by remaining in Washington. ^{[42] [43]} Despite a modest team point total and a season goal differential of minus-37, the Capitals clinched a playoff spot in the final seed, though were ultimately swept in the first round. ^[44] Playing in all games since his debut, Pacioretty appeared in 47 games with the club and all 4 playoff appearances, contributing 23 regular season points and an additional assist in the post-season.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Unsigned for the 2024 offseason, rumors began to circulate in late August that Pacioretty was connected to the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, who were looking to bolster depth on their left wing. ^[45] On September 11, the team formally announced that Pacioretty had been signed to a professional try-out to attend Maple Leafs training camp ahead of the season. ^[46] Following the conclusion of the team's preseason, Pacioretty signed a one-year, $873,770 contract with the Maple Leafs on October 7, 2024, with an additional $626,230 in collective games-played bonuses if Pacioretty appears in 10 and 35 games respectively during the regular season. ^[47]

Personal life

Pacioretty in April 2015

Pacioretty is the brother-in-law of former NHL player Maxim Afinogenov; Pacioretty married Afinogenov's sister, Katia, in July 2011. ^[48] The couple have four sons and one daughter. ^{[49] [50]}

Pacioretty's paternal grandmother, Theresa Pacioretty (née Savoie) is a French-Canadian from Montreal. ^{[51] [52]} Pacioretty's mother is of Mexican origin. Having grown up in Mexico, she was not familiar with ice skating but given Pacioretty's very high energy as a child, took him to a rink to expend energy. ^[53] The family of Pacioretty's paternal grandfather Burton hails from the Varese region of Lombardy, Italy, particularly the towns of Ferno, Gallarate, and Cardano al Campo. ^[54]

In March 2015, McDonald's introduced the "Max 67" burger which was only available in its Quebec restaurants. ^[55]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2004–05	Taft School	HS–Prep		23	5	14	19	—		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Taft School	HS–Prep		26	7	26	33	—		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Sioux City Musketeers	USHL		60	21	42	63	119		7	4	6	10	10
2007–08	University of Michigan	CCHA		36	15	23	38	59		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Hamilton Bulldogs	AHL		37	6	23	29	43		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		34	3	8	11	27		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		52	3	11	14	20		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Hamilton Bulldogs	AHL		18	2	9	11	10		5	1	0	1	2
2010–11	Hamilton Bulldogs	AHL		27	17	15	32	20		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		37	14	10	24	39		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		79	33	32	65	56		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	HC Ambrì–Piotta	NLA		5	1	0	1	4		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		44	15	24	39	28		4	0	0	0	4
2013–14	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		73	39	21	60	35		17	5	6	11	8
2014–15	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		80	37	30	67	32		11	5	2	7	16
2015–16	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		82	30	34	64	34		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		81	35	32	67	38		6	0	1	1	7
2017–18	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		64	17	20	37	30		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Vegas Golden Knights	NHL		66	22	18	40	36		7	5	6	11	4
2019–20	Vegas Golden Knights	NHL		71	32	34	66	44		16	5	3	8	12
2020–21	Vegas Golden Knights	NHL		48	24	27	51	14		13	5	6	11	4
2021–22	Vegas Golden Knights	NHL		39	19	18	37	33		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		5	3	0	3	2		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Washington Capitals	NHL		47	4	19	23	25		4	0	1	1	2
NHL totals				902	330	338	668	493		78	25	25	50	57

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008	United States	WJC	4th		6	0	0	0	8
2012	United States	WC	7th		8	2	10	12	4
2014	United States	OG	4th		5	0	1	1	4
2016	United States	WCH	7th		3	0	0	0	2
Junior totals					6	0	0	0	8
Senior totals					16	2	11	13	10

Awards and honors

Award	Year
College
All-CCHA Rookie Team	2008
NHL
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy	2012
All-Star Game	2020

References

1. Todd, Jack (November 26, 2016). "Jack Todd: Time for everyone to get off Pacioretty's back". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved January 30, 2018. Enter Maximillian Kolenda Pacioretty,
2. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
3. "Youngster Pacioretty signs with Canadiens". The Star. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
4. "Devils whip Canadiens behind sharp play from Clemmensen". CBS Sports . December 12, 2010. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
5. "Daily Hab-it: Pacioretty gets his wish". CTV Montreal. December 12, 2010. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
6. "No Criminal Charges". Quebec: The Canadian Press. November 11, 2011. Archived from the original on January 20, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2012. After eight months, the police case has been officially closed on Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara's devastating hit on the Montreal Canadiens' Max Pacioretty.
7. "Max Pacioretty taken off ice on stretcher / Video". National Hockey League . March 8, 2011.
8. "Fractured Vertebra for Pacioretty". Montreal Gazette . March 9, 2011. Archived from the original on March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
9. "Zdeno Chara won't be suspended or fined by NHL for hit on Pacioretty". NESN. March 9, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
10. "Pacioretty on-ice hit to be investigated by police". CBC News. March 10, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
11. "Max Pacioretty's terrible hit, amazing recovery, assist to Montreal General Hospital". Montreal Gazette . October 16, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
12. Bob McKenzie (March 9, 2011). "McKenzie: Pacioretty not happy with Chara or league decision". TSN.ca . Retrieved March 4, 2012. 'I am upset and disgusted that the league didn't think enough of (the hit) to suspend him,' Pacioretty told me. 'I'm not mad for myself, I'm mad because if other players see a hit like that and think it's okay, they won't be suspended, then other players will get hurt like I got hurt.'
13. "Pacioretty has no ill will". Brossard, Quebec: The Canadian Press. April 28, 2011. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2012. 'I think he regrets what he did and I forgive him because he definitely made an effort to contact me and go out of his way to tell me how he felt,' said Pacioretty. 'I respect him for that'. [...] 'It's a fast game and it's tough to make a decision in a second. Fortunately now I'll be ready to go next season.'
14. "2011-2012". NHL.com (in French). Retrieved January 30, 2018.
15. "Max Pacioretty wins Bill Masterton Trophy". NHL.com. Montreal. June 20, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
16. "Gomez scores first goal in a year for Habs; Pacioretty records hat trick". cbssports.com. Uniondale, NY. February 9, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
17. "Max Pacioretty signs six-year deal with Canadiens". CTV News Montreal. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
18. Stubbs, Dave (September 24, 2012). "Max Pacioretty decides on Switzerland during NHL lockout". The National Post. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
19. SportsNet, "Pacioretty overshadows goalie battle in Habs win", February 6, 2012, Canadian Press
20. ABC News, "Pacioretty Leads Canadiens Past Canucks 5-2", February 7, 2014, Associated Press
21. TSN, "Pacioretty has hat trick as Canadiens rout Canucks", February 6, 2014, CP
22. National Post, "Max Pacioretty misses on two penalty shots, but still scores a hat trick as Canadiens conquer Canucks" Archived May 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine , February 6, 2014, Kelsey Patterson
23. "Canadiens opt for four alternate captains this season". NHL. September 15, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
24. "Max Pacioretty becomes the 29th captain in Montreal Canadiens history". Canadiens.nhl.com. September 18, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
25. Cowan, Stu (April 9, 2018). "'I've fallen in love with this city,' Canadiens' Max Pacioretty says". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
26. Braverman, Dan (April 3, 2018). "Pacioretty, Mete head home". NHL.com. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
27. Hickey, Pat (March 5, 2018). "Canadiens' Max Pacioretty and Victor Mete will miss up to six weeks". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
28. Friedman, Elliotte (June 25, 2018). "31 Thoughts: All eyes on John Tavares during UFA interview period". Sportsnet. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
29. @renlavoietva (August 28, 2018). "Max Pacioretty confirme qu'il n'y a aucune négociation avec les @CanadiensMTL pour une prolongation de contrat" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
30. "Golden Knights Acquire Max Pacioretty From The Montreal Canadiens". NHL.com. September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
31. "Pacioretty signs four-year extension with Golden Knights". NHL.com. September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
32. Cowan, Stu. "Canadiens Game Day: Habs refuse to give up and beat Golden Knights 5-4". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
33. Wagner, Jillian (April 24, 2019). "Sharks hand Golden Knights stunning 5-4 OT loss in Game 7, eliminate Vegas from postseason". Knights on Ice. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
34. Webster, Danny (July 13, 2022). "Golden Knights trade Pacioretty, re-sign Smith". Las Vegas Sun . Retrieved July 15, 2022.
35. "Pacioretty traded to Hurricanes by Golden Knights". NHL.com. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
36. Alexander, Chip (August 10, 2022). "Carolina Hurricanes forward Max Pacioretty to miss six months after Achilles surgery". The News & Observer . Retrieved August 19, 2022.
37. "Pacioretty makes Hurricanes debut against Predators". NHL.com. January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
38. "Hurricanes' Pacioretty tears Achillies two weeks after returning from same injury". Sportsnet . January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
39. "Capitals sign Max Pacioretty". Washington Capitals. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
40. Whyno, Stephanie (January 3, 2024). "Capitals' Max Pacioretty plays his 1st game since re-tearing his right Achilles tendon". Associated Press . Retrieved September 14, 2024.
41. Adler, Katie (February 22, 2024). "Max Pacioretty could reportedly waive no-movement clause for team in right location: 'Geography is very important for him'". Russian Machine Never Breaks. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
42. Cerullo, Chris (March 18, 2024). "Max Pacioretty picked staying with the Capitals over being traded to the Rangers". Russian Machine Never Breaks. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
43. Seravalli, Frank (March 8, 2024). "Sounds like Pacioretty turned down multiple playoff-bound teams via his no-move clause, wanted to stay close to family and finish what he started this season in Washington coming off the Achilles tears. #allcaps were more than happy with that". Twitter . Retrieved September 14, 2024.
44. Vogel, Mike (May 1, 2024). "Season on the (B)rink". Washington Capitals . Retrieved September 14, 2024.
45. Smitheram, Ryan (August 29, 2024). "Pair of insiders confirm Maple Leafs, Max Pacioretty rumour". Editor in Leaf. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
46. Alter, David (September 12, 2024). "'He Got On The Ice For Us': Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Explains How the Max Pacioretty Professional Tryout Came Together". The Hockey News . Retrieved September 14, 2024.
47. "Pacioretty signs 1-year, $873,770 contract with Maple Leafs". nhl.com. October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
48. Steve Milton (September 23, 2011). "No offence, but he'd rather not be in Hamilton". The Hamilton Spectator. Archived from the original on November 1, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
49. "Canadiens Montréal on Twitter: "Congrats to Max and Katia Pacioretty on the birth of their second child!"". June 12, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2015.
50. Qmi, Agence (June 12, 2015). "Pacioretty de nouveau papa". Le Journal de Montreal . Retrieved June 13, 2015.
51. Dave Stubbs (October 17, 2011). "Giving back to the community". The Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
52. Sean Gordon (October 28, 2011). "Hospital helped Canadiens' Pacioretty, now Max gives back". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
53. Cowen, Stu (January 25, 2017). "Stu Cowan: For Canadiens' Max Pacioretty hockey becomes family affair". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
54. "Max Pacioretty: dal Varesotto a Montreal passando per gli States". hockeytime.net (in Italian). October 7, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
55. Clinton, Jared (March 16, 2015). "MAX PACIORETTY HAS HIS OWN MCDONALD'S BURGER, THE 'MAX 67'". thehockeynews.com. Retrieved April 30, 2018.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Ryan McDonagh	Montreal Canadiens first round draft pick 2007	Succeeded by Louis Leblanc
Preceded by Mark Letestu	CCHA Rookie of the Year 2007–08	Succeeded by David Wohlberg
Preceded by Ian Laperrière	Winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy 2011–12	Succeeded by Josh Harding
Preceded by Brian Gionta	Montreal Canadiens captain 2015–18	Succeeded by Shea Weber