Fans reacted to reports that Max Pacioretty could be stepping away from professional hockey. Analyst Nick Alberga reported that Pacioretty “appears to be hanging up his skates” and has accepted a role with the University of Michigan.Max Pacioretty is an unrestricted free agent following his one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.Pacioretty’s name had been a frequent topic in the offseason rumor mill, with reports linking him with teams like Columbus, Detroit and Toronto, but those opportunities never materialized.As word of his apparent retirement spread, fans share their thoughts on social media. One bluntly posted:“Traitor finally out of the NHL.”Ivan Demigod is a superstar @Goalcaufield2LINK@thegoldenmuzzy @NHLlnsider67 traitor finally out of the NHLAnother wrote:"He must’ve fallen off over the summer or he just doesn’t want to play anymore because he was one of the leafs best players in the playoffs by far. He had so much left in him"jr smith @SpinthablockonnLINK@thegoldenmuzzy He must’ve fallen off over the summer or he just doesn’t want to play anymore because he was one of the leafs best players in the playoffs by far. He had so much left in himHere are some more fan reactions:"Good luck to him will never forget those big hits and scoring both gm 6 winners," one wrote."Could easily play another season. But with two ruptures with his achilles and What not, probably a solid decision," another posted."I wonder if he keeps himself in shape and comes out of retirement around the deadline," a user commented."He was separated from his family basically for the entire season cuz they live in the Detroit area. Makes sense he accepted the job at UMich" another wrote.Hailing from New Canaan, Connecticut, Pacioretty spent the 2007-08 season at Michigan before joining the Montreal Canadiens.Max Pacioretty's injury-riddled last seasonMax Pacioretty had an injury-plagued season last year. He appeared in only 37 games for the Maple Leafs. In the playoffs, he recorded five goals and eight assists.At his end-of-season press conference, Pacioretty had hinted at retirement."This year was very difficult for me, being away from my family,so I'm really excited just to get home and be with them, and talk to them about what's next in life. But in terms of playing, that's difficult to answer right now," he said.Pacioretty closes the book on a 17-year NHL career. He finished with 681 points while playing for the Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs.