Pacioretty steps up
Fatherhood has changed the game for Montreal’s goal-scoring sniper
MONTREAL — If you’re looking to find the root of Max Pacioretty’s blossoming leadership on the Canadiens, you’d do well to start in a Connecticut maternity ward just before Christmas last year.
It was on Dec. 23 that Pacioretty and his wife, Katia, welcomed Lorenzo into the world, their first child.
Enzo, as he’s known to the young couple, has quite literally changed the life of Pacioretty, who is bringing the everyday experiences, joys and challenges of fatherhood to the rink in a positive, energized, even peaceful way.
Following Enzo’s birth, his own 39-goal season last year, a three-round playoff run and then a summer of taking a hard look at himself and his future with the Canadiens, Pacioretty brought a sharper focus to September’s training camp.
With the departure of captain Brian Gionta and alternate captain Josh Gorges, two huge leaders on the club, Pacioretty understood that it was his wish and, indeed, his responsibility to step up and fill at least part of that void.
The Canadiens sewed an A on his jersey heading into camp, making clear their trust in him and expectations of him.
Long after Saturday’s 4-1 Bell Centre win over Ottawa, having earned his 13th and 14th assists of the season on goals by linemates Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk, Pacioretty sat back in an empty dressing room and took a broad view of his life in hockey and beyond it.
“When I thought about how this year would fall into place, this is exactly how I pictured it,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I turned into a certain type of player and personality, on and off the ice.
“My whole thing was not to change, but just to get better in every way. Obviously, there are so many areas for improvement in my game and my leadership, going forward helping guys. I really like where we stand right now. I’m happy but I’m not satisfied. I know I’ve got more and I’m hoping to learn more.”
With eyes never open wider, Pacioretty was up close for this month’s dramatic, emotional farewell to legendary Canadiens captain Jean Beliveau, and then the team’s uplifting tribute to hugely popular Saku Koivu.
The 26-year-old absorbed every drop of those two events, which in turn got him paying even closer attention to the Canadiens’ legendary Hall of Famers whose aura is all around this club.
“Those nights when we saw the Jean Beliveau and Saku ceremonies, all of these special nights seeing a lot of the legends around, they’ve really helped me understand what it takes to be a leader,” Pacioretty said. “I learned a lot from these events. I hope to incorporate that into my game and also my leadership role on this team.
“People talk about Jean Beliveau never having turned down an autograph request. When you’d see him here, he looked like a million bucks, dressed perfectly. It’s the same with all these legends.
“I’m trying to pay a little more attention in my life to little things like this. I think it’s paid off a lot, but just like everything else, there’s room for improvement.”
There are subtle things an observer’s keen eye picks up: Pacioretty always was a sharp dresser, but he’s taken that up a notch this season. He carries himself differently off the ice, too — shoulders back, chin up, a strong, confident gait. There is no shuffle in his walk. It’s all part of a young player maturing in life and into a vital role that his team clearly has set before him.
“My parents always made sure when I was younger that I never left the house without a collared shirt that was tucked into my khakis,” Pacioretty said, pleased that his personal presentation hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“I was always wondering: ‘Why are they doing this? Why can’t I wear sweatpants to school?’ And now I understand.
“I try to shave every day. It’s a small thing, but there’s something about having a family. You just want to set a good example for your kid. I think I’ve realized over the years how important it is to carry yourself a certain way.’’
As he grows into fatherhood and his role on the Canadiens, Pacioretty can almost step outside himself and see a young man who understands, appreciates and embraces the responsibilities he didn’t have even 18 months ago.
The Canadiens could do a lot worse than to replace the A on his jersey with a C.
“Last year was probably the best Christmas of my life, spent in a (Connecticut) hospital and a hotel,” he said, Katia having brought their son into the world. “It’s amazing how much more meaningful the holidays are when you have a family.
“I’m ready now to be a man and a family man, to be a leader for my family. My parents have always taught me to be like that. My wife, being European, that’s the lifestyle over there.
“It’s just like hockey — where you have roles within your team, you have roles within your family. It means a lot to me and I really take it seriously.
“Now, I notice how important the little things are. I try not to take things for granted at home or at the rink. When I do something good at home and I’m a better dad, it translates to my being a good leader with the team, on and off the ice. I’m a big believer in that. I hope that I just keep improving.”
“My whole thing was not to change, but just to get better in every way.” Max Pacioretty