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Underdog Aims to Prove Critics Wrong, Again
Over the last eight seasons, David Desharnais has averaged better than a point per game in at least one season at every level he's played at.
As a matter of fact, the only time Desharnais hasn't averaged over a point per game ironically happens to be each rookie season he's ever played.
To put Desharnais' prowess to a point, after racking up 51 points in 70 games during his rookie season with Chicoutimi in the QMJHL, the diminutive play-maker went on to register 323 points in the next 192 games he played.
Following another year of being passed over in the NHL Entry Draft, Desharnais found himself in the ECHL for a season with the Cincinnati Cyclones. In his only year in the East Coast Hockey League, the Laurier-Station, Quebec native posted 106 in 68 games.
Keeping track of his progress through his first five seasons at the junior and professional level and Desharnais had managed to put up 483 points in 341 games spread between the QMJHL(262 gp), the ECHL(68 gp) and the AHL(11 gp).
Though he managed only 3 points in the 11 contests he skated in 2007-08 at the AHL level, Desharnais would make his full-time debut with the Hamilton Bulldogs the following season.
In that rookie year, although the generously listed 5'7 forward posted below a point per game average, he did rack up 58 points in 77 games, demonstrating a successful ability in making the smooth transition to a higher level of play.
Following his rookie year dip in production, Desharnais returned to his aggressive offensive form, posting 78 points in 60 games for the Bulldogs while also enjoying his debut in the NHL, skating six games but registering only one point.
The slow rise for Desharnais, after being overlooked on so many occassions due to his size, has definitely been a true underdog story, yet having caught on with a franchise that doesn't shy away from highly talented smaller players, it's beginning to appear as if Desharnais may finally have the opportunity to prove wrong every critic who has ever doubted his potential.
While he enjoyed a taste of NHL action in 2009-10, it wasn't until the following season when Desharnais' true dominance was noticed.
Paired with another outstanding young Bulldog in Max Pacioretty, Desharnais lit up the AHL posting 45 points in 35 games before the Canadiens could stand no more and called him up to the big leagues for good.
Though the call-up thrust Desharnais into an abbreviated rookie season, he wasted little time in providing the best bang for buck, posting 22 points in limited ice-time during 43 contests.
With a half season of experience in the NHL under his belt, and a clear demonstration that he will have no problem adjusting his talent and skills to the highest level of play, the NHL, the Montreal Canadiens have got to secretly be hoping for their very own 'Marty St.Louis' story to play out before their eyes.
While often compared to the Lightning superstar, the underlying reason for the comparison has to do with just how truly talented and shifty the 24 year old center/winger is.
Indeed, there's no question that DD has got a long way to go before those comparisons are even afforded a shred of truth, but given the odds that have been stacked against him his entire playing career, and the manner with which he has crushed them each and every time, who's to say that Desharnais quick hands and incredible passing ability won't afford the Canadiens a dynamic weapon no opponent is prepared to counter?
Though expectations will be limited, and certainly not projected at the point-per-game level Desharnais usually attains in his sophomore season - mainly due to his role outside of the top six, there's really no reason to believe that the tiny player with the giant heart won't work harder than ever to prove his worth.
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Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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