PRESS RELEASE

MONTRÉAL – The Montreal Canadiens announced Friday that forward Max Pacioretty has been named the 29th captain in franchise history, following a vote by the players. Pacioretty is preparing for his eighth NHL season with the Canadiens in 2015-16.

Max Pacioretty, 26, is a product of the Canadiens organization, which selected him in the first round (22nd overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. During his first two seasons at the professional level, Pacioretty spent time with both the Canadiens and the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs.

The native of New Canaan, Connecticut, is the third US-born player to captain the Canadiens, following in the footsteps of former teammate Brian Gionta (2010-14) and Chris Chelios (co-captain with Guy Carbonneau in 1989-90). Pacioretty, who became the first American player to reach the 30-goal plateau in a season with the Canadiens, is also the first left winger since Bob Gainey to wear the ‘’C’’ with the Canadiens.

Since making his debut with Montreal in 2008, Max Pacioretty recorded 144 goals in 399 games. He enjoyed three 30-plus goal seasons, including a personal high of 39 goals in 2013-14. During the playoffs, he contributed another 18 points, including 10 goals, in 32 games. As far as individual honours are concerned, he was the 2012 recipient of the Bill Masterton trophy awarded by the NHL to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game, after returning to the ice following a severe injury on March 8, 2011.

Max Pacioretty also represented his homeland on the international stage, namely the 2014 Olympic Winter Games (in Sochi), the World Championship (2012) and the World Junior Hockey Championship (2008).