The list of men who have been captain of the Montreal Canadiens is filled with legends, such as Toe Blake. Butch Bouchard. Maurice Richard. Henri Richard. Yvan Cournoyer. Bob Gainey. Jean Beliveau.

In Pacioretty, hockey's oldest and most famous franchise installed a new kind of leader, an American kid who is quiet yet commanding and was no instant superstar.

Born in New Canaan, Connecticut, Pacioretty was a first-round pick (No. 22) in the 2007 NHL Draft who would spend time in the American Hockey League before making his mark in the NHL.

Following his one season at the University of Michigan, where he had 15 goals and 38 points in 36 games in 2007-08, the Canadiens signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract. In storybook fashion, Pacioretty scored on his first official NHL shot on goal, against the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 2, 2009, but in his first two pro seasons he split time between Montreal and Hamilton of the AHL.

On March 8, 2011, he lay motionless on the ice and had to be stretchered off after taking a frightening hit into the stanchion at the end of the bench during a game against the Boston Bruins. He would not play again that season.

Rebounding from the effects of that check, in his first uninterrupted NHL season, Pacioretty emerged with 33 goals and 65 points in 2011-12. For his determination he was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy, presented to the "player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication" to the game.

Pacioretty's influence on the ice and in the locker room was growing. The Canadiens had built a strong leadership core that also included goaltender Carey Price, effervescent defenseman P.K. Subban, gritty young forward Brendan Gallagher and veteran defenseman Andrei Markov.

With the Canadiens without a captain after free agent Brian Gionta signed with the Buffalo Sabres following the 2014 season, expectations were high for the next choice. General manager Marc Bergevin and coach Michel Therrien left it to the players to decide.

According to Bergevin, the vote wasn't close. Pacioretty was named the 29th captain of the Canadiens on Sept. 18, 2015. He remained captain until being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sept. 10, 2018.

Pacioretty finished his first season in Vegas with 22 goals, but had 21 in his first 52 games in 2019-20, earning a berth in the 2020 Honda NHL All-Star Game. He finished with 32, the most since he scored 35 with the Canadiens in 2016-17.

Pacioretty was acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes in a trade with the Golden Knights on July 13, 2022. He was expected to need six months to recover from surgery to repair a torn Achilles. He signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Washington Capitals on July 1, 2023.

Pacioretty signed a one-year, $873,770 contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 7, 2024, after participating in training camp on a professional tryout contract. He announced his retirement from the NHL after 17 seasons on Sept. 30, 2025, and joined the University of Michigan hockey program as a special assistant to the head coach.