Max Pacioretty, middle, was selected 22nd overall by Montreal at the 2007 NHL draft. (Jay LaPrete/Associated Press)

The Montreal Canadiens Canadiens signed American forward Max Pacioretty to a three-year contract on Thursday.

Terms of he deal were not disclosed.

"Max Pacioretty is a young player with a lot of skills who has the potential to play in the NHL. We are very happy to have him under contract for years to come," said Montreal GM Bob Gainey.

"We feel he is ready to make the jump to professional hockey, and we will make sure to provide him with all the resources which will benefit his long-term development as a player."

Pacioretty, a 19-year-old native of Connecticut, was a first-round pick (22nd overall) of the Canadiens in the 2007 NHL draft.

Pacioretty completed his freshman season in the NCAA with the University of Michigan Wolverines in 2007-08. He ranked fourth in team scoring with 39 points in 37 games (15 goals, 24 assists), posting a plus-31 rating.

He was also a member of the U.S. national team that finished fourth at the 2008 world junior championship in the Czech Republic.