• In 2008-09, Després led his team with a plus-16 rating and led the way in defensive scoring with 32 points (2-30-32) in 66 games. He had four assists in four playoff games before the Sea Dogs were knocked out in the first round by Cape Breton.

• Represented Team Canada as an assistant captain at 2009 Under-18 World Championships in Fargo, North Dakota, finishing fourth in the tournament with two assists and a plus-five rating. He was also a member of Canada's gold-medal effort at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in 2008.

• Després was selected to participate in the 2009 CHL Top Prospects game and for the second straight season he represented the QMJHL in the Canada/Russia Challenge.

• As a 16-year-old rookie, he recorded 14 points (1-13-14) and a plus-18 rating in 64 games after being selected first overall in the 2007 QMJHL Draft. He tied a Saint John record with five assists in one game (Jan. 18, 2008) and was selected to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team for his efforts.

• He was nicknamed ‘Horse’ by his teammates early in his career for his ability to log big minutes on the blueline.

• Credits Jim Webster for having a big influence on his career, working with him from the age of seven and lists Daniel Pauzé as his favorite minor hockey coach. His first ever hockey team was with Delta Laval.

• He had a hole in one in just the second round of golf he had ever played.


NEWS ARTICLES

DESPRES’ DRAFT BARK WITH SEA DOWGS BEING HEARD

DESPRES DISPLAYS TALENT FOR SCOUTS

FAVORITES

NHL Team: Montreal Canadiens
NHL Player: Pavel Datsyuk
Shootout move: “The Datsyuk”
Movie: Van Wilder
Reality Show: Loft story
Actress: Jessica Alba
Cartoon: The Simpsons
Website: Fulltiltpoker.com
Book: Harry Potter
Restaurant: East Side Mario’s
Sport (other than hockey): Golf
Snack: Chocolate
Superhero: Batman