Recruit Pacioretty Picked By Canadiens in NHL Draft
6/22/2007 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Incoming freshman forward Max Pacioretty (New Canaan, Conn.) of the University of Michigan hockey team was chosen by the Montreal Canadiens with the 22nd overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft on Friday night (June 22) at Nationwide Arena, home to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pacioretty is the 16th player in U-M history to have been drafted in the first round.
"My grandma was from Montreal, so when I was younger I went to a couple games," Pacioretty noted in a television interview following his selection. "It just seems like a great atmosphere where everybody loves hockey, so it's a great place to play.
"I'm a two-way player who gets all the little things done, such as blocking shots. I think I offer more at the table than just all offense."
Pacioretty (6-2, 203) spent the 2006-07 season with the United States Hockey League's Sioux City Musketeers. He tallied a 21-42-63 line in 60 games en route to earning the USHL's Rookie of the Year honor. The 63 points by the 18-year-old were second on the Musketeers and tied for 10th in the league. His +20 rating tied for the team lead. Pacioretty racked up 119 penalty minutes. He tallied six power-play goals and four game-winners. He was chosen for the USHL's midseason all-star game. In seven playoff games, Pacioretty posted four goals, three on the power play, and six assists.
In the final pre-draft ranking by NHL's Central Scouting Service, Pacioretty was ranked No. 16 among North American skaters. In the mid-season rankings he was slated at No. 23.
A number of Wolverines are expected to be drafted tomorrow (Saturday, June 23) in the final six rounds of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
N O T E S
Pacioretty is the seventh Wolverine to be selected by the Montreal Canadiens. Most recently, Mike Komisarek (2001-02) was a first round selection in 2001.
Michigan head coach Red Berenson is one of three Wolverines to have played for the Canadiens. Berenson played parts of five seasons (1962-66) with Montreal, winning the Stanley Cup in 1965 and 1966. Pat Hughes played in Montreal from 1977-79 and Mike Komisarek just completed his fourth year with the Habs.
Michigan has had at least one player chosen in the first round in each of the last seven drafts.
Montreal Canadiens Site
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
