July 18, 2008
Pacioretty Bolts Michigan
CHN Staff Report
The rush of players to sign pro deals with eligibility remaining, had cooled off. But the doors were swung open again Thursday.
Michigan forward Max Pacioretty has left school after just one season to sign a three-year contract with the NHL's Montreal Canadiens. Pacioretty was a first-round draft pick (22nd overall) of the Canadiens in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
"We're disappointed that Max Pacioretty has chosen to forego his eligibility at the University of Michigan at this time, said Michigan assistant coach Mel Pearson. "Max was certainly a positive force on our team last season. We would like to wish him well in his pursuit of his dream to play in the National Hockey League."
During his lone season at Michigan, Pacioretty was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year and earned National Rookie of the Year honorable mention from the Hockey Commissioners’ Association. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound left wing posted 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points. His 39 points ranked fifth nationally among his fellow freshmen.
Pacioretty played the entire season on U-M’s number one line alongside Hobey Baker Award winner Kevin Porter and All-American Chad Kolarik; the Wolverine trio made up the highest scoring line in the country in 2007-08. Pacioretty finished the season with a plus-31 plus/minus rating and had 59 penalty minutes.
Pacioretty, a native of Connecticut, also played for Team USA at the 2008 World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic. He did not record a point as the Americans finished fourth in the tournament.
Michigan head coach Red Berenson is currently unavailable for comment; he is in Redwood, Calif., at the Snoopy's Senior Annual World Hockey Tournament.
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