Michael Pezzetta

Michael Pezzetta (born March 13, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the sixth round, 160th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2016 NHL entry draft.

Playing career Early years As a youth, Pezzetta played with both the Toronto Nationals and Mississauga Senators of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) and participated with the latter at the annual OHL Cup during his midget year.

Junior Originally selected 11th overall by the Sudbury Wolves in the 2014 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection draft, Pezzetta made his OHL debut during the 2014–15 season. During his overage season with Sudbury, he would be named as team captain prior to being traded to the Sarnia Sting on January 9, 2018.

Professional Following his OHL career, Pezzetta signed a three-year, entry-level contract in March 2018 with the Montreal Canadiens, the team that selected him during the sixth round (160th overall) of the 2016 NHL entry draft. Thereafter, he would make his professional debut during the 2018–19 season with the Canadiens' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket.

During the 2021–22 season, Pezzetta was recalled by the Canadiens and made his NHL debut versus the Detroit Red Wings on November 2, 2021. In his rookie season with the Canadiens, he collected five goals and six assists across 51 games played, and led the team in penalty minutes (PIM) with 81. In the midst of a terrible season for the team overall, Pezzetta endeared himself to many fans with his passionate style of play.

In advance of the 2022–23 season, he signed a one-year, $750,000 deal to remain with the Canadiens organization. In a March 27, 2023 game against the Buffalo Sabres, he drew headlines for scoring the shootout-winning goal and then celebrating in the style made famous by notable NHL enforcer, Tiger Williams.

On June 2, 2023, Pezzetta was signed to a two-year extension with the Canadiens. He expressed enthusiasm for the organization, saying "there's so much history and the fans are wild and it's such a loud and just fun atmosphere to be a part of. You want to stick around in this atmosphere for as long as you can." On April 12, 2025, Pezzetta skated in his 200th career NHL game.

Entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, Pezzetta agreed to a two-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, 2025. After being placed on waivers ahead of the 2025–26 season, he joined the Leafs' AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies. On March 12, 2026, Pezzetta was recalled by the Maple Leafs and subsequently made his team debut that night against the Anaheim Ducks. Appearing in a total of nine scoreless NHL games, he was returned the AHL ranks prior to the beginning of the annual Calder Cup playoffs in mid-April. On June 19, 2026, Pezzetta and the Marlies captured the second Calder Cup in franchise history after defeating the Chicago Wolves in five games.

International play

Internationally, Pezzetta represented Hockey Canada as part of team Canada White at the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where his team ultimately finished in fifth place.

Personal life Pezzetta was born to parents Laurie and Lino, the latter of whom worked as a fire captain for Toronto Fire Services. He has one sibling, a brother named Stefano. The family is of Italian ancestry. Growing up, Pezzetta was a fan of his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, idolizing players like Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph. As a youth, he wore #13 in honour of Sundin.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2013–14 Mississauga Senators GTHL 29 11 15 26 32 10 4 7 11 18 2014–15 Sudbury Wolves OHL 61 5 7 12 56 — — — — — 2015–16 Sudbury Wolves OHL 64 10 18 28 98 — — — — — 2016–17 Sudbury Wolves OHL 54 10 9 19 88 5 2 0 2 17 2017–18 Sudbury Wolves OHL 35 15 16 31 53 — — — — — 2017–18 Sarnia Sting OHL 27 8 13 21 26 12 1 1 2 15 2018–19 Laval Rocket AHL 55 6 4 10 77 — — — — — 2018–19 Maine Mariners ECHL 3 0 0 0 6 — — — — — 2019–20 Laval Rocket AHL 32 2 2 4 63 — — — — — 2020–21 Laval Rocket AHL 20 2 3 5 30 — — — — — 2021–22 Laval Rocket AHL 8 3 3 6 16 — — — — — 2021–22 Montreal Canadiens NHL 51 5 6 11 81 — — — — — 2022–23 Montreal Canadiens NHL 63 7 8 15 77 — — — — — 2023–24 Montreal Canadiens NHL 61 3 9 12 59 — — — — — 2024–25 Montreal Canadiens NHL 25 0 0 0 24 — — — — — 2025–26 Toronto Marlies AHL 39 5 6 11 52 23 3 2 5 82 2025–26 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 9 0 0 0 35 — — — — —NHL totals 209 15 23 38 276 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2014 Canada White U17 5th 5 0 2 2 2Junior totals 5 0 2 2 2

Awards and honours Award Year RefGTHL Top Prospects Game 2014 OHL OHL Scholastic Team 2015, 2016 AHL Calder Cup champion 2026