Aaron Palushaj

2006-07: The winger spent the season with the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL), where he tallied 22 goals and 67 points in 56 games. He added another 11 points (6g+5a) in eight playoff games. 

2007-08: This was Palushaj’s rookie season with the Michigan Blue (CCHA). In 43 games he scored 10 goals, 34 assists (led league and team/second in the Nation) and 44 points (third in the nation among rookies). He was a CCHA All-Rookie team honorable mention. He also helped Michigan take the CCHA title.

2008-09: The winger spent the majority of his season with the University of Michigan (CCHA), netting 13 goals, 37 assists (led league/third in Nation) and 50 points (second in CCHA), all of which are career-highs. He was nominated to the West All-American team and the All-CCHA squad. He also competed with the US National U20 squad, where he scored two goals and five points.

2009-10: Aaron split his time in the minors between Peoria and Hamilton, appearing in 62 games total with 32 points. Palushaj was traded from the St. Louis Blues to Montreal.

2010-11: Palushaj made his NHL debut – appearing in three games in March with the Canadiens – and was AHL Hamilton’s leading scorer in his first full season with the Montreal organization. Palushaj was scoreless and +1 with 2 PMs in limited ice time (8:31 per game) with the Canadiens. In 68 AHL games with Hamilton he scored 22 goals with 35 assists and was +22 for the North Division champion Bulldogs. Palushaj appeared in 19 of 20 playoff games as the Bulldogs reached the AHL semifinals. Palushaj scored 7 goals with 12 assists and was Hamilton’s second leading scorer behind one-time New York Ranger Nigel Dawes who led the Bulldogs with 22 points.