Pacioretty Inks 3-year Deal

Michigan icer Max Pacioretty has decided to forgo his final three years of college eligibility to move to the professional ranks. The CCHA Rookie of the Year last season, Pacioretty signed a three-year entry level contract with the Montreal Candians. Montreal drafted Pacioretty in the first round of the 2007 NHL Draft.

MONTREAL -- Michigan would-be sophomore forward Max Pacioretty inked a three-year deal with the Montreal Canadians on Thursday afternoon in a move that ends his college eligibility at the University of Michigan announced Montreal General Manager Bob Gainey.

“Max Pacioretty is a young player with a lot of skills who has the potential to play in the NHL. We are very happy to have him under contract for years to come. We feel he is ready to make the jump to professional hockey, and we will make sure to provide him with all the resources which will benefit his long-term development as a player,’’ said Bob Gainey.

Pacioretty, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound winger, finshed second on the Wolverines team with a +31 during his freshman season, and finished with 39 points. He scored 15 goals on the way to claiming CCHA Rookie of the Year honors in his only season with the Wolverines.

"We’re certainly disappointed that Max Pacioretty has chosen to forego his eligibility at the University of Michigan at this time," said associate head coach Mel Pearson. "Max was 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."

Pacioretty skated on a line with Hobey Baker award winner Kevin Porter and All-American Chad Kolarik on the Wolverines top line last season.