Montreal Canadiens Send Max Pacioretty to Hamilton Bulldogs

Official Press Release from the Montreal Canadiens: 

Mar 23, 2009, 12:34 PM EDT
Pacioretty

PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL– The Canadiens announced Monday that forward Max Pacioretty has been assigned to the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs.

This season Pacioretty registered 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists), 27 penalty minutes, and delivered 44 hits in 34 games with the Canadiens, with an average ice time of 12:37.

Pacioretty, who started the 2008-2009 campaign in the AHL with the Canadiens’ parent club, was the Bulldogs’ third-leading scorer when he was called up by Montreal on Dec. 26, 2008, with 20 points (3 goals, 17 assists) in 26 games.

The 20-year-old left-winger earned Rookie of the Year honors the last two seasons, with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers in 2006-2007 and the CCHA’s University of Michigan Wolverines in 2007-2008.

Pacioretty was selected in the first round by the Canadiens, ranked No. 22 overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Canadiens General Manager, and interim coach Bob Gainey, told the media later today that the demotion would allow Pacioretty more ice time, as well as playing time in the upcoming AHL playoffs.

"Max brought a lot of tangible elements to play in the NHL," Gainey told the media.

"There's a lot of textbook work that he still needs to learn. The way to learn that is in game situations often."

Many critics had felt the Canadiens rushed Pacioretty into the NHL to soon, but a slew of long-term injuries amongst other forwards forced Gainey to keep the prospect in Montreal longer.