Chance sometimes does things well. David Desharnais admitted to considering retirement at the dawn of this season, but he changed his mind and will now represent Canada at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Desharnais and his Canadian teammates are currently in Davos, Switzerland, where they are taking part in an eight-day training camp in preparation for the Olympic tournament.
“In a normal world, there would have been no, but no chance [que je fasse partie de l’équipe olympique]. Fortunately, or unfortunately, we live in a bit of a weird world right now, and the NHL has declined, so it has given other players the opportunity to represent Canada, and I’m one of them. I am very excited, ”said the Quebecer by videoconference Monday morning.
Thus, failing to have been able to lift the Stanley Cup during his stay in the NHL, the 35-year-old veteran could now find himself with an Olympic medal hanging around his neck. Quite a turnaround for a player who almost hung up his skates at the dawn of the campaign.
“The pandemic, playing in front of empty bleachers and being away from home… I found myself in quarantine here, in a smaller apartment — we couldn’t go outside — little things like that. If I had been in Quebec, well at least I would have had my land, I would have been at home and I would have had family to help me with the children when things are not going so well. It was all that context. Our games were canceled, and I really wondered how long it was going to last.
The five-foot-seven, 180-pound hockey player thus found himself among a long list of candidates to wear the maple leaf uniform, which was shortened to 90 players at the beginning of the month. January after the players retired from the NHL. He finally learned, ten days ago, that he had obtained his position with Team Canada. A dream come true.
Desharnais believes that he was chosen, among other things, because his style of play corresponds to what the Canadian team was looking for in view of the Olympics.
“Beyond the talent, Team Canada will be very structured and will work very hard. Of course, it will be our DNA. It will be a mixture of very good young players – Owen Power, the first choice of the last NHL draft, is one of them – and veterans. Obviously, we won’t have the talent of the NHL, but it’s a good mix, and we will try to click everyone together at the right time, ”he described.
Of course, like many people, the ex-noh 51 of the Bleu-blanc-rouge admitted that he was shocked to learn of the withdrawal of head coach Claude Julien, who broke his ribs last weekend. However, he believes that Jeremy Colliton will be able to bring his troops to their destination.
“It was all news (Julien’s withdrawal), admitted Desharnais. I arrived here on Saturday and heard the news at our first team meeting. It was surprising, but you know, injuries happen all the time, although that’s rarely the case for a coach. It’s just one more hurdle in our path, and there will be more, with COVID-19 and player injuries. It’s unfortunate for him (Julien), but we have to continue and make sure we make him proud. »
According to the former prospect of the Saguenéens of Chicoutimi, in the QMJHL, the Canadians will have to approach the Olympic tournament in the same state of mind as if they were the favorites – even if, at first glance, Russia, defending champion , seems to be due to the presence of KHL players.
“We have to think that we are the favourites. We’ve proven in the past that we can be the best, so that’s our approach for the tournament. We will go into the tournament thinking we can win,” he said without hesitation.
The Laurier-Station skater is playing his third campaign with HC Fribourg-Gottéron, in the Swiss A League. Desharnais has scored 13 goals and 19 assists in 38 games so far this season.
We’ll go into the tournament thinking we can win
Desharnais has scored 87 goals and 195 assists in 524 career NHL games, mostly with the Montreal Canadiens, but also with the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers.
The Olympic Men’s Hockey Tournament will take place February 9-20 in Beijing, China.