Max Pacioretty Retires from NHL After 17 Successful Seasons

Veteran forward Max Pacioretty has announced his retirement from the NHL after a notable career spanning 17 seasons. Pacioretty, who captained the Montreal Canadiens for three seasons, concluded his playing career after the 2024-25 campaign with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The announcement was made on September 30, 2025, and marks a significant transition for Pacioretty, who is set to join the University of Michigan men’s hockey program as a special assistant to the head coach. This new role follows a career that began when he was selected 22nd overall by the Canadiens in the 2007 NHL Draft.

Pacioretty became the 29th captain in Canadiens history before the 2014-15 season and remained a prominent figure in the team for a decade. Over his time in Montreal, he accumulated 448 points, comprising 226 goals and 222 assists in 626 regular-season games. Additionally, he contributed significantly in playoff performances, recording 19 points, including 10 goals, in 38 postseason contests.

In September 2018, Pacioretty was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, a move that included current Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki as part of the deal. After four seasons in Vegas, Pacioretty faced injury challenges, leading to brief tenures with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals. He joined the Maple Leafs on a professional tryout prior to the 2024-25 season, eventually making the team and finishing the campaign with 13 points, including five goals and eight assists.

Despite a season marred by injuries, Pacioretty found his form during the playoffs, recording three goals and five assists in 11 games. Throughout his career, he reached the 30-goal mark six times and ended with a total of 335 goals and 346 assists across 939 regular-season games. In playoff appearances, he netted 28 goals and provided 30 assists over 89 games.

Pacioretty’s accolades include being selected as an All-Star with Vegas in 2020 and winning the Bill Masterton Trophy with the Canadiens in 2012, an honor acknowledging perseverance and dedication to the sport. This recognition came after he suffered a serious neck injury and concussion from a hit by Zdeno Chara in March 2011.

In a statement released by the Wolverines, Pacioretty expressed his enthusiasm for the next chapter of his career. “After 17 seasons in the NHL, I’m excited to begin this next chapter with Michigan Hockey,” he stated. “I’m so thankful for the teammates, coaches, and fans who have been a part of my journey. Hockey has given me so much, and now I have the opportunity to help develop the next generation of players.”

Pacioretty’s retirement marks the end of an era for a player who has left an indelible mark on the league and the teams he has represented. His contributions to the sport will be remembered by fans and fellow players alike as he embarks on a new path in coaching and player development.