David Desharnais Hasn't Quit on His Hockey Dreams
With no NHLers, there's an opportunity for a new set of Canadians to make a major splash for their country at the Olympics. David Desharnais isn't taking that for granted.
David Desharnais' career has been built upon proving people wrong.
He did it in the AHL, having immediate success as a 5-foot-7 center that, despite having a small frame, managed to bring bulldog-like energy to every shift. He proved people wrong by playing by becoming a 60-point player in his first full NHL season in 2011-22. His NHL career wasn't long at 524 games, but his impact in the NHL will never be forgotten by Montreal Canadiens fans who always had an underdog to cheer for.
And now he's a Canadian Olympian.
It's something that's just starting to sink in for the 35-year-old Laurier-Station, Quebec native. He hasn't played in the NHL in five seasons, spending the past three with Swiss outfit HC Fribourg-Gotteron. Desharnais has never been a big-time scorer there like he was back in his junior days, but he's been a consistent figure with the organization while still playing some great hockey at the latter stages of his career.
Desharnais didn't envision himself making the Olympic team when he originally made the long list in October. At the time, the NHL was still going, but Hockey Canada was preparing a backup plan if guys like Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon couldn't make it. Desharnais was made aware that he was selected shortly before the team was officially announced, marking one of the biggest moments in his long professional career.
"My whole career has been built on perseverance," Desharnais said. "Last year, I would have not had that opportunity. It's unfortunate that the NHL guys can't go but it gives us other guys a chance, and here I am."
It's unclear what type of role Desharnais will play for Canada, specifically. It'll likely a bottom-six role, with his faceoff abilities, speed and heads-up playmaking skills making him a solid option at that. His two-way game improved later in his NHL career and it's more than serviceable in Switzerland. But in saying that, he's still a key offensive driver with Fribourg, so we can't completely write him off as more of a lethal scoring option just yet.
Regardless, Desharnais doesn't care what he's asked to do. He's excited about the opportunity and knows playing for Canada means he's got a strong chance at a medal in what will likely be his last chance to play for his country in a major international setting. Desharnais' only previous experience with Hockey Canada was one game at the 2019 Spengler Cup, getting knocked out early with an injury before his team won the championship.
He's hoping for a similar result in Beijing.
"We've proven in the past that we can be the best and bring that mentality," Desharnais said.
Desharnais' personal favorite hockey memory was seeing Mario Lemieux fake out through the legs that led to Paul Kariya's goal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Desharnais was 15 years old at the time, not expecting to one day become an Olympian himself.
And the opportunity for so many unlikely faces to become stars is what makes the 2022 edition so interesting. NHLers weren't allowed in 2022, either, and Canada ultimately finished with a bronze. But Canada's team appears to be a bit quicker this year and deeper down the lineup, and someone like Desharnais could play a big role in chasing the ultimate prize.
Desharnais doesn't have many major awards to his credit. He won the Spengler, but only played the first game of the tournament. He won the 2008 ECHL Kelly Cup, but that was 14 years ago.
Winning gold at the Olympics? Nothing would even come close.