Aaron Palushaj

Aaron Palushaj (born September 7, 1989) is an American professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career
Palushaj was drafted 44th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues. Palushaj previously played junior hockey in the USHL with Des Moines Buccaneers before playing two-years of collegiate hockey with the University of Michigan in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

On April 3, 2009, Palushaj signed a three-year, entry level contract with the Blues. Assigned to AHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, for his first professional season he was later traded by the Blues to the Montreal Canadiens for Matt D'Agostini on March 3, 2010.

On March 17, 2011, Palushaj dressed for his first game with the Montreal Canadiens.

Personal life
Palushaj grew up in Michigan. His father, Tom, emigrated from Albania at the age of thirteen. Palushaj first played soccer as a child, and after seeing posters of Steve Yzerman and the Russian Five in his first-grade classroom decided he wanted to play hockey.