Veteran forward Max Pacioretty, known for his tenure with the Montreal Canadiens and a brief stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2024-25 season, has officially retired from the NHL after playing professionally for 17 seasons.
Pacrioretty, who played his college hockey at the University of Michigan in the 2007-08 season before transitioning to the NHL, will now be taking on a new role as a special assistant to the head coach of the Wolverines men’s hockey program, as announced by the university.
Initially drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2007 NHL draft as the 22nd overall pick, Pacioretty went on to become the 29th captain in the team’s history just before the 2014-15 season.
Following a successful 10-season run with the Canadiens, Pacioretty was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in September 2018 in exchange for current Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki. Throughout his career, he accumulated 448 points from 626 regular-season games and 19 points from 38 playoff appearances with the Canadiens.
After short stints with the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals post his time in Vegas, Pacioretty joined the Maple Leafs on a professional tryout prior to the 2024-25 season, eventually earning a spot on the team’s roster. Despite facing injuries and lineup decisions limiting his playing time during the season, he showcased his scoring prowess in the playoffs with three goals and five assists in 11 games.
Hailing from New Canaan, Connecticut, the 36-year-old forward reached the 30-goal milestone six times in his career, boasting a total of 335 goals and 346 assists across 939 regular-season games, along with 28 goals and 30 assists in 89 playoff appearances.
Pacioretty, who was named an all-star during his time with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020 and received the Bill Masterton Trophy with the Canadiens in 2012, expressed his gratitude and excitement for the future in a statement released by the Wolverines. He mentioned his appreciation for all the support he received throughout his career and his eagerness to contribute to the development of upcoming hockey talents.