Despres learns from experience with Penguins
By Al MacLeod – When Simon Despres was selected 30th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, many scouting reports listed his biggest assets as his skating ability and low-risk defensive style.
But it was suggested he was still a few years away from cracking the NHL, which is not uncommon for a young defencemen.
Over the course of the last two seasons with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Saint John Sea Dogs, it’s becoming apparent Despres may be a little closer to the NHL than first thought.
The six-foot-four, 226-pound blue liner from Laval, Que. started his 2010-2011 QMJHL season in Pittsburgh attending the Penguins training camp and his stay extended far beyond a simple opportunity to experience how an NHL camp is run.
His stay lasted about two months to be exact and he participated in four pre-season games registering a plus-3, two penalty minutes and six shots while averaging around 16 minutes of ice time. He also spent time on the penalty kill and was among the last cuts from the team’s final roster.
Despres took away as much as he could from the experience to help grow his game in the QMJHL.
“I learned a whole bunch,” Despres said. “There’s way more than you think to play in the NHL as a defenceman. There’s so many little details you gotta do to play up there and I’m bringing them down to the Sea Dogs. Things like having a good stick on the puck, good position, good body position, and just little tricks like that. It helps me a lot.”
The adjustments he’s made to his game are working as he is on pace for his best season statistically with the Sea Dogs, producing at an over a point-per-game clip with nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 22 games, ranking third among defencemen in scoring. He also sports an impressive plus-19 on the season for the 26-4-0-2 Sea Dogs.
Despres’ previous best in a little over three seasons with the Sea Dogs was in 2009-2010 when the former first overall QMJHL pick posted nine goals and 38 assists for a total of 47 points in 63 games. He is quick to point to his experience in Pittsburgh as a major factor in the success he is enjoying in the QMJHL this season.
“It helped me out with my confidence. I practiced with the (Penguins) for two months and especially the speed is not as fast here as it is up there so I have way more time with the puck and I see the ice better.”
One of the things Despres said he is using a lot more is his wrist shot to enhance his offensive game and it’s a big reason he is already tied with his career best in goals at nine in only 22 games so far this season.
“I’m able to place it more and I still got a lot of work to go on my slap shot so I try to be more effective with my wrist shot.”
The improvement in his overall game has also caught the attention of Canadian world junior team officials.
As for what he can bring to the table for Team Canada, Despres offered an honest assessment of his biggest strengths. “I’ll bring a big and mobile defenceman. I’m a heavy 226 pounds and can push around some guys over there, a good first pass and good skating abilities.”
