David Desharnais

David Kevin Denis Desharnais (born September 14, 1986) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He played parts of 10 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, and New York Rangers. He also played for HC Fribourg-Gottéron of the National League A (NLA) and Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Before playing in the NHL, Desharnais played four seasons with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He had a successful time with the Saguenéens. He was named the winner of the Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy in 2004, 2005, and 2006. The award was later named after Desharnais before the 2024–25 season.^[1]

He was not drafted by an NHL team. On November 5, 2008, Desharnais signed a two-year, two-way contract to join the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). This came after impressive showing at Canadiens training camps and with their ECHL-affiliate Cincinnati Cyclones.^[2] He was immediately sent down to play for their AHL-affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs. On November 25, 2009, the Canadiens called him up to play for the team and he made his NHL debut in a 3–1 loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins.^[3] On February 10, 2010, he recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Glen Metropolit goal in a 6–5 overtime win against the Washington Capitals.^[4] On July 16, Desharnais signed a one-year contract to stay with he Canadiens.^[5] On January 12, 2011, Desharnais scored his first NHL goal against Marc-André Fleury in a 5–2 loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins.^[6] On June 20, Desharnais signed a two-year contract to stay with the Canadiens.^[7] When the NHL entered a lockout, he travelled to Switzerland and played for HC Fribourg-Gottéron of the National League A (NLA). He played 16 regular season games with the team, scoring 4 goals and recording 12 assists. On March 15, 2013, Desharnais signed a four-year, $14 million contract to stay with the Canadiens.^[8]

On February 28, 2017, the Canadiens traded Desharnais to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Brandon Davidson.^[9] He played 18 regular season games with the team, scoring 2 goals and recording 2 assists.

On July 4, 2017, Desharnais signed a 1-year, $1 million contract to join the New York Rangers.^[10]

In 2023, Desharnais decided to retire from playing professional ice hockey.

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database