Max Pacioretty facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Max Pacioretty
Pacioretty with the Vegas Golden Knights in October 2018
Born	(1988-11-20) November 20, 1988 (age 36) 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 (born November 20, 1988) is an American professional ice hockey player. He plays as a left winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Pacioretty was chosen by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He later became the captain of the Canadiens for his last three seasons with the team. He scored 30 or more goals in five of his seasons in Montreal. Before the 2018–19 NHL season, he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. This move helped his career, but he was traded again four seasons later to the Carolina Hurricanes. This happened because the Golden Knights needed to manage their team's salary budget.

Max Pacioretty's Hockey Journey

Early Years and College Hockey

Pacioretty playing for the University of Michigan

When he was young, Pacioretty played in the 2002 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. He played for a minor ice hockey team from the New York Rangers.

He played high school hockey at New Canaan High School. In his first year, he led the state in points. Then, he moved to The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut. Pacioretty later played junior hockey for the Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Hockey League (USHL) during the 2006–07 season.

After that season, the Montreal Canadiens picked him in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 22nd player chosen overall. He then played for the University of Michigan in the 2007–08 season. He scored 15 goals and had 38 points in 36 games. On July 17, 2008, Pacioretty signed his first professional contract with the Canadiens.

Starting Professional Hockey with Montreal

First NHL Games

Pacioretty played his first NHL game with the Canadiens on January 2, 2009. He scored his first NHL goal with his very first shot in a game against the New Jersey Devils. He also became the first player in Montreal's long history to wear jersey number 67. He started the 2010–11 season playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs, which is the Canadiens' minor league team. He was called up to the NHL again on December 12, 2010.

Overcoming a Serious Injury

On March 8, 2011, Pacioretty was hurt after a hit from Boston Bruins player Zdeno Chára. The hit caused Pacioretty to crash into the side of the bench. He lay still on the ice for several minutes and was taken off on a stretcher.

The next day, it was announced that he had a neck injury and a serious head injury. He recovered and was ready to play again for the 2011–12 NHL season. Pacioretty later said he couldn't remember the incident. After seeing the video, he was upset that no further action was taken against the player who hit him. However, about two months later, he said he thought Chára regretted his actions and that he had forgiven him.

Pacioretty with Montreal in February 2012

Success and Leadership in Montreal

Pacioretty returned strong for the 2011–12 NHL season. He finished the year as the team's top scorer with 33 goals and 32 assists in 79 games. He also won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This award is given to a player who shows great determination, good sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. He scored his first three-goal game (hat-trick) on February 9, 2012, against the New York Islanders.

On August 12, 2012, Pacioretty signed a six-year contract extension with the Canadiens. In September 2012, he played overseas for a Swiss team called HC Ambrì-Piotta during a break in the NHL season.

On February 6, 2014, Pacioretty became the first Canadiens player to be given two penalty shots in the same game. This happened against the Vancouver Canucks. He was also only the second player in NHL history to get two penalty shots in the same period. He missed all three of his career penalty shots against the Canucks, but he still scored a hat trick in that February 6 game.

On September 15, 2014, Pacioretty was named an alternate captain for the Canadiens. Then, on September 18, 2015, his teammates voted for him to become the 29th captain in Canadiens history.

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 NHL season was tough for the Canadiens. Pacioretty had been scoring over 60 points for four seasons in a row, but this year he only got 37 points. On March 2, 2018, he left a game due to a knee injury. It was announced he would be out for four to six weeks.

Before his contract ended, there were talks that the Canadiens might trade Pacioretty. A trade to the Los Angeles Kings was almost made, but Pacioretty said no. He later confirmed he wasn't talking about extending his contract, which meant his time with the Canadiens might be ending.

Moving to the Vegas Golden Knights

On September 10, 2018, Pacioretty was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. In return, the Canadiens received players Tomáš Tatar, Nick Suzuki, and a draft pick. Pacioretty then signed a four-year contract with the Golden Knights.

Pacioretty returned to Montreal to play against his old team on November 10, 2018. Before the game, the Canadiens showed a video tribute for him, and the fans gave him a standing ovation. He finished the season with 22 goals and 18 assists. He also added 5 goals and 6 assists in the playoffs.

Over his four seasons with the Golden Knights, Pacioretty scored 97 goals. He was a very important part of the team's offense. In the 2021-22 NHL season, he had a broken wrist and foot, so he only played in 39 games.

Time with the Carolina Hurricanes

On July 13, 2022, the Golden Knights traded Pacioretty and another player to the Carolina Hurricanes. This trade happened because the Golden Knights needed to free up space under the salary cap.

Just a few weeks after joining Carolina, Pacioretty tore his Achilles tendon during an offseason workout. He needed surgery and missed the first few months of the 2022-23 NHL season. He finally played his first game for the Hurricanes on January 5, 2023. He scored two goals in his second game on January 7, 2023. However, Pacioretty played only five games before tearing his Achilles again on January 19. This injury ended his season.

Playing for the Washington Capitals

After his contract with the Hurricanes ended, Pacioretty signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals on July 1, 2023. He missed some time again because of his second Achilles tendon injury. He didn't play his first game for Washington until January 3, 2024. There were rumors that he might retire before his debut.

As the NHL trade deadline got closer, some thought Pacioretty might agree to be traded to a team that was likely to make the playoffs. However, he chose to stay with Washington, saying he wanted to "finish what he started." Even though the Capitals had a tough season, they made it into the playoffs. They were eventually swept in the first round. Pacioretty played in 47 regular season games and all 4 playoff games, getting 23 points in the regular season and one assist in the playoffs.

Joining the Toronto Maple Leafs

Pacioretty was not signed by a team for the 2024 offseason. In late August, there were rumors that he might join the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs were looking to add more depth to their left wing position. On September 11, the team officially announced that Pacioretty had signed a try-out contract to attend their training camp. After the preseason, Pacioretty signed a one-year contract with the Maple Leafs on October 7, 2024.

Starting the season with the Maple Leafs, Pacioretty scored the team's first goal of the 2024–25 season. This happened in a 4–2 win over the New Jersey Devils on October 10.

Max Pacioretty's Life Off the Ice

Pacioretty in April 2015

Pacioretty is married to Katia Afinogenova, who is the sister of former NHL player Maxim Afinogenov. They got married in July 2011 and have four sons and one daughter.

Pacioretty's grandmother on his father's side, Theresa Pacioretty, was French-Canadian from Montreal. His mother is from Mexico. She wasn't familiar with ice skating, but she took Pacioretty to a rink when he was a child because he had a lot of energy. His paternal grandfather's family comes from the Varese region of Italy.

In March 2015, McDonald's introduced a special burger called the "Max 67" burger. It was only available in their restaurants in Quebec, Canada.

Awards and Honors