P-A Parenteau, who recently announced his retirement, was selected in the ninth round at the 2001 NHL draft by Anaheim. Parenteau’s trajectory to the NHL was not a direct path, but a successful one that culminated in 491 NHL regular-season games through determination and skill. On top of his NHL career, P-A also played in 450 AHL games over seven seasons to reach nearly 1,000 games at the professional level.
Parenteau debuted in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2006-07 season, and in 2009-10 with the New York Rangers, the Quebec-born forward scored his first NHL goal against the New York Islanders -- the team he would soon join and establish career-highs with.
After signing as a free agent with the isles in 2010, Parenteau scored a career-high 20 goals over 81 games in his first full season, and followed it up with a career-high 49 assists and 67 points in 2011-12.
Parenteau then moved west joining the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent where he spent two more seasons before being traded to his home province of Montreal. After one season with the Canadiens, Parenteau signed in Toronto, where he matched his career-high 20 goals as a member of the Maple Leafs while surpassing the 40-point mark for the fourth time in his career.
Claimed on waivers by the New Jersey Devils in 2016-17, Parenteau played 59 games with the Devils and after being moved at the trade deadline, and eight more games with the Nashville predators in his final season.
From the NHLPA staff and players – congratulations and all the best to P-A in his retirement!