Oilers: Vincent Desharnais never gave up

Many people told him to give up, including himself sometimes, but Vincent Desharnais showed great perseverance and was rewarded with the opportunity to play his first game in the National Hockey League ( NHL), Wednesday night.

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At 26, the Quebec defenseman got his first taste of the Bettman circuit, and he looked good in the Edmonton Oilers’ 6-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. In an interview with the daily “Edmonton Sun” on the eve of his debut, Desharnais shared all the emotions he felt when he learned that he would play.

“It was a little crazy, just mentioning it to my parents was a big moment,” he said Wednesday. Going into the office and being told by the coaching staff that I was called up was also a great moment. I’ve been waiting for this all my life.”

The Laval resident took an atypical path to reach his goal. He shunned the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to learn in British Columbia. He then made the jump to the United States with Providence College.

Desharnais was drafted as far back as the seventh round in 2016, at No. 183. Rare are the hopefuls selected at this level who manage to reach the Bettman circuit.

“After ‘COVID season’ that’s when I realized I was closer than I thought. The first was tough; I only played six games [dans la Ligue américaine] and I also played 31 games in the ECHL. I moved a lot and I didn’t play a lot. It’s hard on confidence. You question yourself, ”said the right-handed back.

Coach’s confidence

The lanky athlete has one particular advantage: he is about 6’6″ tall. Desharnais was often told that he was too big or that he didn’t have the speed necessary to play in the pros. Instead, he chose to close his ears and enjoy practicing his sport.

“You have to believe in yourself and have fun. It’s the best lesson I’ve learned in my three professional years. […] If you don’t have fun, what’s the point?” he wondered.

Desharnais also has an ally of choice in Jay Woodcroft. The Oilers head coach first led him to the Bakersfield Condors. The two men won the Calder Cup together in 2021 and the instructor has always believed in the talent of his protege.

“He’s a player who has continued to improve,” Woodcroft said. He has something that can’t be learned or trained: he’s 6’7”. Those who can play with this size have a special advantage. But sometimes these players take a little longer to feel good about themselves at the professional level.

Edmonton used seven defensemen against the Ducks and Desharnais was shorthanded. It remains to be seen if he will be in uniform again on Friday against the San Jose Sharks.


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