With his college career officially bookended, the Isles' 2016 seventh rounder (193rd overall) reflected on what it meant to play for the University of Michigan the past four years and looked back on some of the triumphs he accomplished during the course of his career.
"[My experience] was everything as advertised and more," Pastujov said. "I couldn't have asked for a better place, team and school to play for. I'm really grateful for everything we were able to do during my time here. It is sad that we aren't able to see what this group could do down the stretch. I think we were the hottest team in college hockey following the Christmas Break or something like that. We were really clicking and coming together there. There were a lot of similarities between this team and the (2018) Frozen Four group. I think that's the hardest part; just that we never got to see what we could have done."
Throughout four years, the left winger-turned center amassed 60 points (25G, 35A) through 136 career games, played in an outdoor game against their rivals, Notre Dame, in 2019 and went to the 2018 Frozen Four. He finished his senior season with a career-best six power-play goals and 27 blocked shots and matched his career-high faceoff win percentage of 55.8% (287-227).
Pastujov was content with how his game had evolved throughout his career and even throughout this last season since attending the Islanders Development Camp over the summer. The left-shot compiled 18 points (9G, 9A) and was plus-five during 36 games of his senior season.
"I was really happy with my game and feeling pretty confident in myself," Pastujov said. "I think that even during that last Michigan State series [March 6-7], I was playing some of my best hockey...I was on the PP last year too, so it was good to get that responsibility again. This year, our power play was really strong. That unit just clicked. There'd be times when we were frustrated when we came to the bench because we were generating so many good chances, but just didn't capitalize, and that's not necessarily a bad problem to have. Then, I also got some minutes on the PK. I did pretty good there. I only got scored on once when I was out there on a five-on-three. I took a lot of pride in having those extra minutes in those kinds of [special teams] situations."