Pierre-Alexandre “P. A., Pierre” Parenteau (born March 24, 1983) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Playing career
Parenteau was drafted by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the ninth round, 264th overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. On December 28, 2006, Parenteau was traded from the Ducks along with Bruno St. Jacques to the Chicago Blackhawks for Sébastien Caron, Matt Keith, and Chris Durno.[1]
Parenteau made his NHL debut during the 2006–07 season with the Blackhawks, playing in five games by seasons end. On October 11, 2007, Parenteau was traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for a conditional seventh round pick in 2008.[2]
In 2009–10, after starting the season with AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, Parenteau was recalled and scored his first NHL goal in his first game with the Rangers against Dwayne Roloson of the New York Islanders on October 28, 2009.[3] With two more extended stints with the Rangers throughout the season, Parenteau posted 8 points in 22 games, to produce enough interest to earn a free agent contract from the New York Islanders for one-year on July 2, 2010.
Before the 2010–2011 season, Parenteau was a career minor-leaguer, as he rarely had the chance to play in the NHL. In elevating his play, Parenteau made the Islanders opening night roster out of training camp and found a permanent spot amongst the top line of the Islanders alongside John Tavares and Matt Moulson. After establishing his position Parenteau was quickly signed to a one-year extension on February 17, 2011.[4] At the end of his first full season in the NHL, he scored 20 goals and 53 points, good enough for second most on the team.
With the ambition to build upon his breakout season Parenteau followed up his success in the 2011–2012 season, producing 49 assists and 67 points to finish third amongst the Islanders in scoring.[5]
On July 1, 2012, Parenteau signed, as an unrestricted free agent, a four-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche.