Youngsters Making an Impact in the Habs Roster!

Max Pacioretty, PK Subban and David Desharnais continue to surprise harsh Montreal fans with their performances!

Subban, 21, joined the squad with two regular season games remaining in the 2009-2010 season.  With his enthusiastic style of play, he contributed to the teams playoff success as they made it to the Eastern Conference finals and lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in five games. In 14 playoff games, Subban tallied up 1 goal and 7 assists for a total of 8 points.  Thus far, in the 2010-2011 season, the rookie has put up 7 goals and 22 assists for 29 points in 61 games.

Pacioretty, 22, started his professional hockey career with the Canadiens in 2008 after playing in the USHL and in the CCHA for the University of Michigan.  In his first 34 games with the Habs in the 2008-2009 season he contributed to 11 points (3 goals and 8 assists).  The following season perhaps was slow for Max as in 54 games, he only captured 14 points (3 goals and 11 assists) disappointing Montreal fans as they had high expectations from him.  For the beginning of the 2010-2011 season, he was placed on the Hamilton Bulldogs roster to gain experience and become stronger on and off the ice.  Pacioretty had an immediate impact with the bulldogs receiving 32 points in 27 games and with injuries within the Habs roster, the organization had no choice but to call up Pacioretty.  Being juggled between the AHL and the NHL over the last 3 years, Max finally finds a place on the NHL roster on the second line with Gomez and Gionta.  Up to date, he has played 36 games putting up 24 points (14 goals and 10 assists). 

Desharnais, 24, played in the QMJHL for four years accumulating 374 points in 262 games and went un drafted into the NHL.  Why?  Because his height leaves him at 5'7'' and 177 pounds.  Following his dreams, he was juggled between the AHL and the ECHL from 2006-2008.  Defining his skill in the ECHL, he was recognized and climbed the ladder to a permanent spot in the AHL in 2008-2009.  In 2009, he had the chance to play in 6 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, but more development was needed in the minors.  Finally, in the 2010-2011 season, Desharnais showed where he truly belongs.  While the Habs roster fell to injuries, David was called up.  Everyone doubted him due to his size, but he has proved the city wrong by finding a position on the power play and putting up 16 points in 27 games (8 goals and 8 assists).