Desjardins' best seasons in the NHL were with the Philadelphia Flyers, but the most famous game in his career came with the Montreal Canadiens.
On June 3, 1993, Desjardins became the first defenseman in NHL history to score three goals in a Stanley Cup Final game; he scored all of Montreal's goals in a 3-2 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 2. Desjardins scored the tying goal with 1:13 left in the third period after Kings defenseman Marty McSorley was penalized by playing with an illegal stick, then scored again 51 seconds into overtime to win the game and complete the only hat trick of his NHL career. The Canadiens won the next three games and the Cup.
Desjardins' best seasons in the NHL were with the Philadelphia Flyers, but the most famous game in his career came with the Montreal Canadiens.
On June 3, 1993, Desjardins became the first defenseman in NHL history to score three goals in a Stanley Cup Final game; he scored all of Montreal's goals in a 3-2 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 2. Desjardins scored the tying goal with 1:13 left in the third period after Kings defenseman Marty McSorley was penalized by playing with an illegal stick, then scored again 51 seconds into overtime to win the game and complete the only hat trick of his NHL career. The Canadiens won the next three games and the Cup.
The Canadiens selected the native of Rouyn, Quebec, in the second round (No. 38) in the 1987 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 8, 1988, earning an assist against the Minnesota North Stars, and scored his first goal against the Quebec Nordiques on Nov. 24, 1988. Desjardins made his first of three appearances in the NHL All-Star Game in 1992 and played a key role in Montreal's run to the Stanley Cup one year later.
However, the Canadiens traded Desjardins and forward John LeClair to the Flyers for forward Mark Recchi on Feb. 8, 1995. The Flyers brought him in to solidify their defense, and he did just that; Desjardins averaged 10 goals and 45 points from 1995-96 through 2000-01, and he was named an NHL Second-Team All-Star in 1998-99 and 1999-00. He also helped the Flyers advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 1997, though they were swept by the Detroit Red Wings. Desjardins won the Barry Ashbee Trophy, given annually to the Flyers' best defenseman, seven times and played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1996 and 2000.
The Flyers didn't offer Desjardins a contract after the 2005-06 season, and he opted to retire after scoring 136 goals and 575 points in 1,143 NHL games, as well as 23 goals and 80 points in 168 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- QMJHL Second All-Star Team (1987)
- QMJHL First All-Star Team (1988)
- NHL Second All-Star Team (1999, 2000)
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (1992, 1996, 2000)
- Traded to Philadelphia by Montreal with Gilbert Dionne and John LeClair for Mark Recchi and Philadelphia's 3rd round pick (Martin Hohenberger) in 1995 NHL Draft, February 9, 1995.
- Officially announced his retirement, August 10, 2006.
