David Desharnais

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David Desharnais
David Desharnais - Montreal Canadiens 2015.jpg
Desharnais with the Montreal Canadiens in January 2015
Born (1986-09-14) September 14, 1986 (age 38)
Laurier-Station, Quebec, Canada
Height 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight 176 lb (80 kg; 12 st 8 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Montreal Canadiens
Edmonton Oilers
New York Rangers
Avangard Omsk
HC Fribourg-Gottéron
National teamFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 20062023

David Kevin Denis Desharnais (born September 14, 1986) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers. He also played one season with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and his last four seasons of professional hockey with HC Fribourg-Gottéron of the National League (NL).

Contents

Playing career

Amateur

As a youth, Desharnais played in the 1999 and 2000 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with minor ice hockey teams from Lotbinière, Quebec and Quebec City. [1]

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.[ citation needed ] 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 (CHL).[ citation needed ] Despite his junior success, Desharnais was passed over in the NHL Entry Draft, due in part to his small size.[ citation needed ]

Professional

Desharnais with the Montreal Canadiens in 2012 David Desharnais - Montreal Canadiens.jpg
Desharnais with the Montreal Canadiens in 2012

The Montreal Canadiens invited Desharnais to their training camp in 2007. Although he did not make the team, he earned an assignment to the Cincinnati Cyclones of the 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 also named to both the All-Rookie Team and the First All-Star Team.[ citation needed ]

Following his 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 60 games, also adding 23 points in 19 playoff games. That season, Desharnais also made his debut with the Canadiens, dressing for six NHL games and recording one assist.[ citation needed ]

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. [2] He scored his first NHL goal on January 12, 2011, deflecting a P. K. Subban point-shot past Marc-André Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins. [3] Desharnais went on to play 43 games with the Canadiens, scoring eight goals and 22 points as well as one point in five Stanley Cup playoff games.[ citation needed ]

On June 20, 2011, Desharnais signed a two-year contract extension with the Canadiens. [4] During the 2012–13 NHL lock-out, he played in the Swiss National League A for HC Fribourg-Gottéron, scoring 16 points in 16 games. [5] He also represented Fribourg in the 2012 Spengler Cup. [6] On March 15, 2013, Desharnais signed a four-year, $14 million contract extension with the Canadiens. [7] In the 2016–17 season, on February 28, 2017, Desharnais was traded by the Canadiens to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Brandon Davidson. [8]

On July 4, 2017, David Desharnais agreed to a 1-year, $1 million contract with the New York Rangers. [9] In the following 2017–18 season, Desharnais was used up and down the lineup, posting 6 goals and 28 points in 72 games as the Rangers failed to qualify for the playoffs.[ citation needed ]

As a free agent, Desharnais opted to halt his North American career, agreeing to sign a one-year deal with Russian club, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL on July 2, 2018. [10] Desharnais was later released from his contract before 2018–19 season, switching clubs in signing with Avangard Omsk, on August 25, 2018. [11]

International play

In January 2022, Desharnais was selected to play for Team Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics. [12] [13] [14]

Honours

Prior to the 2024–25 season, the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League renamed its Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy to be the David Desharnais Trophy, given annually to the most sportsmanlike player. [15]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2001–02Lévis CommandeursQMAAA20220
2002–03Lévis CommandeursQMAAA4227426910
2003–04 Chicoutimi Saguenéens QMJHL 70232851121847118
2004–05 Chicoutimi SaguenéensQMJHL683265973919510158
2005–06 Chicoutimi SaguenéensQMJHL633385118441129114
2006–07 Chicoutimi SaguenéensQMJHL6138701083241562
2006–07 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 71124
2007–08 Cincinnati Cyclones ECHL 68297710618229243318
2007–08 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL40116
2008–09 Hamilton BulldogsAHL772434582061344
2009–10 Hamilton BulldogsAHL60275178231910132316
2009–10 Montreal Canadiens NHL 60110
2010–11 Hamilton BulldogsAHL3510354524
2010–11 Montreal CanadiensNHL43814221250112
2011–12 Montreal CanadiensNHL8116446024
2012–13 HC Fribourg–Gottéron NLA 164121612
2012–13 Montreal CanadiensNHL481018282650112
2013–14 Montreal CanadiensNHL7916365224172686
2014–15 Montreal CanadiensNHL8214344824111234
2015–16 Montreal CanadiensNHL6511182920
2016–17 Montreal CanadiensNHL3146106
2016–17 Edmonton Oilers NHL182246131340
2017–18 New York Rangers NHL716222818
2018–19 Avangard Omsk KHL 587212884180776
2019–20 HC Fribourg–GottéronNL3612142618
2020–21 HC Fribourg–GottéronNL451426402450222
2021–22 HC Fribourg–GottéronNL471924432491674
2022–23 HC Fribourg–GottéronNL5213294236200025
NHL totals52487195282160514131714

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2022 Canada OG 6th50110
Senior totals50110

References

  1. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  2. Mike Boone (2010-12-31). "Canadiens recall David Desharnais". Montreal Gazette . Archived from the original on 2011-05-05. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  3. "Pittsburgh @ Montreal (Jan 12, 2011)". Sportsnet. 2011-01-12. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  4. "Canadiens sign RFA centre Desharnais to two-year deal". TSN. 2011-06-20. Retrieved 2011-07-07.
  5. "Fribourg Gotteron team page" (in German). National League A. 2012-10-02. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
  6. "Spengler Cup: 2 points for Desharnais". tvasports.ca (in French). 2012-12-29. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  7. "Desharnais, Canadiens agree on contract extension". The Sports Network. 2013-03-15. Retrieved 2013-03-15.
  8. "Canadiens acquire Brandon Davidson from Oilers for David Desharnais". Sportsnet.ca. 2017-02-28. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  9. "Report: Rangers, Desharnais agree to deal". The Sports Network. 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2017-07-04.
  10. "David Desharnais to Lokomotiv" (in Russian). Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  11. "Avangard complete contracts with Desharnais and Talbot" (in Russian). Avangard Omsk. 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  12. "Canada unveils non-NHL Olympic hockey roster with pro experience, young talent". www.cbc.ca/. CBC Sports. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  13. Nichols, Paula (25 January 2022). "Team Canada's 25-player men's hockey roster nominated for Beijing 2022". www.olympic.ca/. Canadian Olympic Committee . Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  14. Stephens, Mike (25 January 2022). "Canada Names Men's 2022 Olympic Hockey Roster". The Hockey News . Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  15. Cowan, Stu (September 17, 2024). "QMJHL renames award in honour of former Canadien David Desharnais". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved September 17, 2024.