Pacioretty to remain a Boston rival
Bruins fans will be booing Max Pacioretty at the TD Garden for at least six more years, as the winger agreed to a long-term deal with the Boston rival Montreal Canadiens. According to TSN, Pacioretty agreed to a six-year, $27 million contract extension with the Canadiens Monday night, keeping him in Montreal through the 2018-2019 season.
He’ll earn $1.65 in the final season of his current contract, then begin taking in $4.5 million per season with the new contract starting in the 2013-2014 season. The deal comes after quite the season for Pacioretty, in which he led his team in points with a career-high 65. He also posted career highs in goals (33).
The Connecticut native won the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, determination, and dedication to the game two months ago. Notably, Pacioretty sustained a fractured neck and a concussion in March 2011 after taking a season-ending hit from Boston’s own Zdeno Chara, but returned to Montreal’s roster the following season. He started the Max Pacioretty Foundation to help raise money for a MRI machine at the Montreal General Hospital’s Traumatic Brain Injury Center.
The six-foot-two, 210-pound winger was drafted by Montreal as the 22nd overall pick in the 2007 draft. He signed with the team in 2008, giving up his remaining eligibility at the University of Michigan. Since then, he’s scored 53 goals and 61 assists for 114 points in 202 career NHL games.
