Aaron Palushaj
Albanian-American former NHL right winger for three teams.
Aaron Palushaj, an Albanian-American, was a professional ice hockey right winger who last played in the NHL for Montreal, Colorado, and Carolina. The St. Louis Blues selected him in the 2007 draft, 44th overall in the second round.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Right wing
- Shoots
- Right
- Born
- 7 September 1989
- Birthplace
- Livonia, Michigan, U.S.
- Draft
- 44th overall
- Drafted by
- St. Louis Blues
Facts from the source article.
Playing career
Palushaj played junior hockey in the USHL with the Des Moines Buccaneers before two college seasons at the University of Michigan in the CCHA. In his sophomore year, he led the Wolverines and the CCHA with 50 points in 37 games, earning NCAA West First All-American Team honors. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blues on April 3, 2009, and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen. On March 3, 2010, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for Matt D'Agostini. After attending Canadiens training camp, he was reassigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs for the 2010–11 season. He made his NHL debut on March 17, 2011, in a 3–2 shootout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, going scoreless in three games before returning to the Bulldogs. There, he recorded 19 points in 20 playoff games, becoming the franchise's all-time postseason goal-scoring leader. On the anniversary of his NHL debut, in his 32nd NHL game, he scored his first career goal against the New York Islanders.
International play
Palushaj represented the United States at the 2009 World Junior Championships in Ottawa, scoring two goals and five points in six games before a quarterfinal loss to Slovakia. He later played for the senior U.S. team at the 2013 World Championships in Sweden and Finland, making his senior debut with a goal in a 5–3 win over Austria on May 4, 2013. Over nine games, he recorded one goal and one assist, helping the United States win bronze, its first medal at the tournament since 2004.
Personal life
Aaron Palushaj was raised in Michigan and finished high school at Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, as part of the 2007 graduating class. His parents, Tom and Rita, came to the United States from Albania when they were very young. He has three siblings: older sister Jesika, and younger sisters Monica and Julia. As a child, Palushaj began with soccer, but after seeing posters of Steve Yzerman and the Russian Five in his first-grade classroom, he chose hockey instead. He later married Bianca, his college sweetheart, who is a doctor from California.
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