Michael Pezzetta was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the sixth round of the 2016 draft with the 160th pick overall. They say getting drafted doesn’t mean you’ve made it to the NHL and it’s especially true when you get drafted so late in the day.
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After being drafted, Pezzetta spent two more years in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves and the Sarnia Sting before graduating to the AHL to play with the Laval Rocket during the 2018-19 season. He did make a three-game detour in the ECHL with the Maine Mariners as well during that season, but he stuck with the Rocket for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
Then, during the 2021-22, as the Canadiens started their reconstruction, Pezzetta got his shot. He was called up and played 51 games in the show, putting up 11 points and being assessed 81 penalty minutes.
He’s not the tallest, he doesn’t have the longest reach but he always steps up to the plate when it’s time to protect a teammate, even if it means taking a beating from a seasoned fighter like Ryan Reaves.
Last Season
With the truckload of injuries that have hit the Canadiens in the last few seasons, Pezzetta has had the opportunity to play more games. In 2022-23, he dressed for 63 games and in 61 during the 2023-24 season. Throughout those games, he put up 12 points, picked up 59 penalty minutes and finished the season with a +4 rating.
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Late in the year, he also had to answer the bell when Ryan Reaves deemed his hit on David Kampf unacceptable. Pezzetta didn’t back down, even if he had been ended a correction by the pugilist back in 2021. The Maple Leafs had just taken a 3-0 lead and Pezzetta probably figured it wouldn’t hurt to try and wake up his teammates. The game ended 4-2 Toronto, but Pezzetta gets points for courage.
What to Expect
Martin St-Louis probably said it best after the Canadiens 3-0 win over the Devils:
I think Pezz comes to the rink every day to fight for his spot. It’s a state of mind he has and you know what you’re getting, he always shows up. It’s not unknown territory for him [fighting for his spot at camp] it’s always competition and I think Pezz feels he competes every day. To be in the NHL, to play the game. I was happy for him, he gave a good effort and got two goals, so it’s good for him.
That’s Michael Pezzetta in a nutshell, he shows up and he fights. For his spot, for his teammates, for the win, for whatever he needs to. It’s what he’s done and it’s what he will keep doing this year.
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He won’t be dressed every night, but when he will be, he will be as ready as can be to do whatever is asked of him. He showed on Tuesday that he can step up his game when given the opportunity, but he knows the kind of game he needs to play to stay in the league and that’s what he’ll do.
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