David Desharnais

David Desharnais

Desharnais with the Montreal Canadiens in January 2015
Born (1986-09-14) September 14, 1986
Laurier-Station, QC, CAN
Height 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight 176 lb (80 kg; 12 st 8 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
NHL team Montreal Canadiens
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2006present

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). Undrafted, he signed as a free agent with Montreal in 2008.

Playing career

Amateur

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

Professional

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.

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.

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-André Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins.[2] 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.

On June 20, 2011, Desharnais signed a two-year contract extension with the Canadiens.[3] During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, he played in the Swiss National League A for HC Fribourg-Gottéron, scoring 16 points in 16 games.[4] He also represented Fribourg in the 2012 Spengler Cup.[5] On March 15, 2013, Desharnais signed a four-year, $14 million contract extension with the Canadiens.[6]

Career statistics

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2003–04Chicoutimi SaguenéensQMJHL70232851121847118
2004–05Chicoutimi SaguenéensQMJHL683265973919510158
2005–06Chicoutimi SaguenéensQMJHL633385118441129114
2006–07Chicoutimi SaguenéensQMJHL6138701083241562
2006–07Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL71124
2007–08Cincinnati CyclonesECHL68297710618229243318
2007–08Hamilton BulldogsAHL40116
2008–09Hamilton BulldogsAHL772434582061344
2009–10Hamilton BulldogsAHL60275178231910132316
2009–10Montreal CanadiensNHL60110
2010–11Hamilton BulldogsAHL3510354524
2010–11Montreal CanadiensNHL43814221250112
2011–12Montreal CanadiensNHL8116446024
2012–13HC Fribourg-GottéronNLA164121612
2012–13Montreal CanadiensNHL481018282650112
2013–14Montreal CanadiensNHL7916365224172686
2014–15Montreal CanadiensNHL8214344824111234
NHL totals 33964147211110 383101314

References

  1. Mike Boone (2010-12-31). "Canadiens recall David Desharnais". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  2. "Pittsburgh @ Montreal (Jan 12, 2011)". Sportsnet. 2011-01-12. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  3. "Canadiens sign RFA centre Desharnais to two-year deal". TSN. 2011-06-20. Retrieved 2011-07-07.
  4. "Fribourg Gotteron team page" (in German). National League A. 2012-10-02. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
  5. "Spengler Cup: 2 points for Desharnais" (in French). tvasports.ca. 2012-12-29. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  6. "Desharnais, Canadiens agree on contract extension". The Sports Network. 2013-03-15. Retrieved 2013-03-15.

External links

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