Canadiens sign LW Pacioretty to three-year deal

Jul 17, 2008 - 5:24 PM MONTREAL (Ticker) -- The Montreal Canadiens locked up one of their young prospects on Thursday, signing left wing Max Pacioretty to a three-year contract.

Financial terms of the contract, which will run through the 2010-11 season, were not disclosed.

The 22nd overall pick in the 2007 draft, Pacioretty recently completed his freshman season at Michigan, placing fourth on the team in scoring with 39 points in 37 games. He tallied 15 goals, including nine on the power play.

"Max Pacioretty is a young player with a lot of skills who has the potential to play in the NHL," Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey said. "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."

A native of Connecticut, the 19-year-old Pacioretty was named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's Rookie of the Year. He also played internationally in 2008, helping the United States place fourth at the World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic.