David Desharnais will see his number retired by the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, the organization of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday.
The former Montreal Canadiens player learned that his number 15 jersey will be removed and hoisted to the heights of the Georges-Vézina Center on March 15, 2024, during a Saguenéens match against the Quebec Remparts.
“I am very moved to see my jersey retired by the Saguenéens de Chicoutimi organization. I never thought I would receive such an honor. The years spent in Chicoutimi are some of the best moments in my career,” declared the hockey player, now 37 years old.
Desharnais scored 126 goals and collected 248 assists in 262 regular season games, in addition to amassing 43 points in 48 playoff games.
The former Sags captain is one of only two players in QMJHL history to have won the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded to the most gentlemanly player on the circuit, in three consecutive seasons. Desharnais received this honor during the 2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons.
Desharnais is also the only player in the history of the Saguenéens to have won the trophy for the most gentlemanly player across the CHL. He received this distinction during the 2006-2007 season.
Number 15 becomes the 13th jersey retired by the Saguenéens organization – after removing that of Steve Gosselin last February.
Desharnais, who was never drafted in the NHL, scored 87 goals and had 195 assists in 524 regular-season NHL games with the Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers. The Quebecer added five goals and 13 assists in 51 playoff games in the Bettman circuit. He also represented Canada at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games.
