David Desharnais

David Desharnais
Born September 14, 1986 (1986-09-14) (age 25)
Laurier-Station, QC, CAN
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight 177 lb (80 kg; 12 st 9 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
NHL team Montreal Canadiens
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2006–present

David Desharnais (born September 14, 1986) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Desharnais was never drafted into the NHL, but signed as a free-agent with Montreal in 2008.

Contents

Playing Career

Desharnais spent his major junior career with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He became a prolific scorer over the course of his four seasons with the team, increasing his goal totals each year, scoring 38 in 61 games during his last season there. Serving as team captain, he totalled 374 points in 262 games. He won the Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy as the QMJHL's most gentlemanly player three times consecutively from 2004-05 to 2006-07 when he was also named the most gentlemanly player of the Canadian Hockey League. Despite his junior success Desharnais was passed over in the NHL Entry Draft, due in part to his small size.

The Montreal Canadiens saw enough potential in Desharnais to invite him to their training camp in the fall of 2007. Although he did not make the team, he earned an assignment to the Cincinnati Cyclones of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). He had a phenomenal professional debut in Cincinnati, putting up 106 points in only 68 regular season games to lead the league in scoring before adding 33 points in 22 playoff games to lead the Cyclones to their first Kelly Cup championship. Desharnais was named ECHL Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player and was named to both the All-Rookie Team and the First All-Star Team.

Following that successful season Desharnais was again invited to the Canadiens' training camp in 2008, after which Montreal signed him to a two year, two-way contract. He was assigned to the Canadiens' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, where he spent the next two seasons. After a successful debut with the Bulldogs in 2008-09, Desharnais led the team in scoring in 2009-10 with 78 points in only 60 games; he added 23 points in 19 playoff games. That season, Desharnais also made his debut with the Canadiens, dressing for 6 NHL games and recording 1 assist.

In the midst of another stellar season in Hamilton after signing a one-year contract extension, Desharnais was recalled by the Canadiens on December 31, 2010.[1] He scored his first NHL goal on January 12, 2011, deflecting a P.K. Subban point-shot past Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins.[2] Desharnais went on to play 43 games with the Canadiens, posting 8 goals and 22 points as well as 1 point in 5 playoff games.

On June 20, 2011, Desharnais signed a two-year contract extension with the Canadiens.[3]

On December 1st, Desharnais played a strong game against the Sharks prompting a spoof Macleans cover to circulate the internet. [4]

Career statistics

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2003–04 Chicoutimi Saguenéens QMJHL 70 23 28 51 12 18 4 7 11 8
2004–05 Chicoutimi Saguenéens QMJHL 68 32 65 97 39 19 5 10 15 8
2005–06 Chicoutimi Saguenéens QMJHL 63 33 85 118 44 11 2 9 11 4
2006–07 Chicoutimi Saguenéens QMJHL 61 38 70 108 32 4 1 5 6 2
2006–07 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 7 1 1 2 4 — — — — —
2007–08 Cincinnati Cyclones ECHL 68 29 77 106 18 22 9 23 33 18
2007–08 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 4 0 1 1 6 — — — — —
2008–09 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 77 24 34 58 20 6 1 3 4 4
2009–10 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 60 27 51 78 23 19 10 13 23 16
2009–10 Montreal Canadiens NHL 6 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2010–11 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 35 10 35 45 24 — — — — —
2010–11 Montreal Canadiens NHL 43 8 14 22 12 5 0 1 1 2
NHL totals 49 8 15 23 12 5 0 1 1 2
AHL totals 183 62 122 184 88 25 11 16 27 20
QMJHL totals 262 126 248 374 127 48 12 31 43 22

References

  1. ^ Mike Boone (2010-12-31). "Canadiens recall David Desharnais". Montreal Gazette. http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Canadiens+recall+David+Desharnais/4046370/story.html. Retrieved 2011-03-02. 
  2. ^ "Pittsburgh @ Montreal (Jan 12, 2011)". Sportsnet. 2011-01-12. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/scores/20110112/Pit@Mon/story. Retrieved 2011-03-02. 
  3. ^ "Canadiens sign RFA centre Desharnais to two-year deal". TSN. 2011-06-20. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/story/?id=369528&hubname=nhl-canadiens. Retrieved 2011-07-07. 
  4. ^ http://puckbandits.com/2011/12/04/httpwp-mep1ux3s-cv/

External links