Danick Paquette

2006-07: Played for Lewiston in the QMJHL, primarily in an energy line role. In 63 games, he scored 4 goals with 14 assists while amassing 112 PIM. Saw limited ice time in 14 playoff games with 18 PIM and -1 plus/minus.

2007-08: While still the primary enforcer for Lewiston in his second season, Paquette began to display his more offensive side. Paquette exploded for 29 goals. Paquette relished his increased role, bringing an energetic game to  the ice every night. At the same time, his physical play put him in hot water, sometimes with borderline hits, and he accumulated 213 PIM. Paquette scored 1 goal with 2 assists in five playoff games with 30 PIM. Was especially effective on the power play, where he scored 11 times.

2008-09: Paquette was again a focal point for Lewiston – both in good and bad ways. On the plus side, he scored 25 goals with 25 assists in 61 regular season games and proved dangerous both on the power play (8 goals) as well as the penalty kill (6 shorthanded goals). However, his physical play frequently bordered on dirty, garnering him suspensions and a whopping 230 PIM. This trend came to a head in the QMJHL playoffs, where he scored 1 goal with 2 assists but drew 25 PIM in just two games. Following the QMJHL playoffs, he joined the Thrashers’ AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves, playing in four games with no points, 12 PIM and a plus/minus of +2.

2009-10: Paquette attended camp with the Thrashers but was returned to the QMJHL, where he had moved from Lewiston to Quebec. Whether it was the move to Quebec or simply maturing with age, Paquette began to strike a balance between aggressive and out of control. While his borderline hits still drew the ire of opposition players and coaches, Paquette sharply reduced his penalty minutes (136) while scoring a career-best 36 goals with 29 assists and a +11 plus/minus in 64 regular season games. Of those goals, 12 came on the man advantage while six were game-winners. In five playoff games for Quebec, he scored 1 goal with 4 assists with 21 PIM. Signed an entry level contract with the Thrashers in May.

2010-11: Paquette led ECHL Gwinnett in penalty minutes (179) as a 20-year-old in his first pro season. In 59 games with the Gladiators he scored 13 goals with 7 assists with a -20 plus/minus. The Washington Capitals acquired Paquette along with a draft pick in exchange for winger Eric Fehr in a trade with WInnipeg in July 2011.