Canadiens: David Desharnais and the ECHL Trials

The ECHL is widely seen as an afterthought amongst hockey fans. However, history has shown us its benefits, especially for the Montreal Canadiens.

David Desharnais was never expected to make the NHL. Despite putting up back to back 100-point seasons in his final two years in the QMJHL, he was woefully undersized at 5’07, in a time where many believed that size was a major contributing factor to NHL success. With no NHL takers, the Laurier-Station, Quebec native attended the Montreal Canadiens training camp in 2007, off of a recommendation from his coach, former Habs captain Guy Carbonneau.

Despite not making the team, he earned an assignment to the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. 106 points in 68 games and a Kelly Cup championship later, he found himself signing a two-year entry level deal with Montreal the next season. After two years and a conference final run with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2009-10, Desharnais made the Canadiens roster late in the 2010-11 season and the rest is history.

Against all odds, Desharnais played 524 NHL games, recording three 40-point seasons in his six-and-a-half seasons with the Canadiens, including a career high 60 points in 2011-12. He’s gone down as one of the better undrafted players in NHL history, and remains a continuing point of note for the benefits of the ECHL, especially for the Canadiens.

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Founded in 1988, the East Coast Hockey League, originally known as the East Coast League, brands itself as the premier “AA” league in all of hockey. It’s one step below the AHL, and in many ways is the slight tipping point above the goon leagues of the FHL, SPHL, and LNAH. Despite its best efforts, however, it goes mostly unnoticed by-passing NHL fans, with only diehard fans or residents of the team’s cities taking note.

In some respects, this makes sense, however as an avid fan of the bizarre and winding road that is minor league hockey, the ECHL presents more value and intrigue than most people want to admit. It has produced its fair share of talent and has seen plenty of talent come into the league as well. The league’s all time leading scorer with 890 points, Louis Dumont, played exactly eight AHL games, being, like Desharnais, undersized at 5’10. Forward Trevor Jobe, who holds the leagues record for points in a season with 85 goals and 76 assists, was an journeyman with a drinking problem who played just one full AHL season.

It’s certainly an anomaly in many aspects and is one that the Habs have had a fairly tumultuous relationship with to say the least. At the moment, Montreal doesn’t have an ECHL affiliate, with their last one, the Brampton Beast, jumping ship to the Ottawa Senators due to a lack of players provided by the Habs. GM Marc Bergevin has shown a tendency throughout his time in Montreal to give lesser support to the Canadiens farm teams, as evidenced by the fact that the Habs affiliates have only made the playoffs twice in Bergevin’s tenure, and it came in the same season.

In 2016-17, the Canadiens, St. John’s Icecaps of the AHL, and Beast all made their respective playoffs for the first time in years. While nothing really came of it, with only Brampton making it past the first round, it showcased the ECHL to Habs fans, with former goaltender and 2nd round pick Zach Fucale being a major reason for the team’s success. One of the key points that is brought up regarding the ECHL is what’s known as the trickle effect, where a lack of support for one team trickles through the whole organization.

This is what made the Beast change affiliations and is what continues to detract the Canadiens and their affiliates from consistent success. Star AHL players like Kenny Agostino and Riley Barber? Traded or called up due to a lack of success from the Canadiens. While this is understandable, it means promising prospects like Cayden Primeau and Ryan Poehling are left playing for a mediocre if not downright bad team night after night. Developing a player in a winning atmosphere can be a huge help for their development, and the ECHL has shown its potential for that as well.

Giving a player like Desharnais top line minutes at a lesser level can help them hone their skills further and be more prepared for the next level when the opportunity comes. Many former first round picks like Toronto Maple Leafs backup Jack Campbell, spent their time in the ECHL developing their skills, and it worked wonders in helping improve their game, and perhaps more importantly, their confidence. Despite its detractors, the ECHL holds more value than leagues like the FHL and SPHL for a reason. It’s re-branded itself in a higher regard because well, it’s proven its potential in developing players, at least in a minor way.

Will the Canadiens ever get an ECHL affiliate again? Like the planned team in Trois Rivieres? It remains to be seen, but I think its safe to say that the league has a bit more merit than most people give it credit for. If David Desharnais can make the jump, then theirs a chance for similar players to do the same. All in all, the ECHL is viewed as an anomaly for a reason, but it’s benefits should also be seen, in a similar aspect.