2023-06-22 07:00:00
BOUCHERVILLE – “We have a big bug, hyper intelligent and passionate”. Rarely have we heard of a “bug” with as much respect as when Daniel Jacob describes Vincent Desharnais, the defender he has supported for four years in his astonishing rise to the NHL.
When Desharnais was drafted in the seventh round in 2016, seven years ago, he was seen as a big “project” that had only a tiny chance of establishing itself in the Bettman circuit.
As he progressed through Providence University, he eventually increased his chances of achieving his dream. However, injuries and mental health issues could have derailed the whole thing.
” But the kid is amazing, he’s a real one,” Jacob added of the perseverance that led to his NHL debut on Jan. 11 at age 26.
And now, all of a sudden, Desharnais went from the beautiful little story of the tenacious giant to a defender who obtained a regular position with the Edmonton Oilers, even during the playoffs. He played 36 games in the regular season, which is already better than several players selected in the second round of his vintage.
“His journey is not a magic trick! “, ruled Jacob who will soon find a place behind the bench of a team.
“Vincent, it’s work. There were failures along the way, but you have to pick yourself up despite adversity and that’s what he managed to do. His plan was always clear that it was the garnotte path. Did he doubt? For sure. It’s not easy as a medium. We see it, the guys come and go, ”described the defender specialist.
By becoming more mature over the years, Desharnais realized that he needed a development coach and the credit goes to him for this approach. With a physical specimen of six feet six inches, Desharnais could become a very interesting tool if he continues his evolution.
“You look at it now and it has established itself very nicely. He understands his role well and we will be able to add meat to the bone. He was able to work on his strengths and his weaknesses and he still has a lot of leeway to progress,” indicated Jacob, specifying that he had known Desharnais since he was “ti-cul” which must have been an eternity.
Realistic and talkative as he is, Desharnais is aware that he experienced some erratic sequences during the playoffs. He told Jason Gregor a few weeks ago that his mistakes (in the fourth game against the Kings and the first against the Golden Knights) were difficult to take.
Thanks to teammates like Mattias Ekholm, who supported him, he understood that he was only going to grow with this additional baggage. Desharnais bounced back after not being on the ice for any Vegas 5-on-5 goals in the rest of the series.
“It happens to the best. You have to remember that he arrived in the middle of the year in a media whirlwind. He was able to play, he was taken out of lineup a few times and he became a regular to end up in the playoffs with the craze around the Oilers. For a guy who arrived like a hair in the soup, he did a good job, ”identified Jacob.
Unsurprisingly, the summer plan will culminate in an emphasis on playing with the puck to get out of certain situations and get rid of the pressure. Footwork and work on the offensive blue line to use his throw will also be on the agenda.
Jacob will use concrete situations to help his protege. During the season, Desharnais is often happy to tell Jacob that a streak went exactly like a drill performed alongside him.
“I look at the extract and I say ‘It’s sick what you did!’ “explained Jacob with a smile.
Now that Desharnais has given Oilers coaches the sting of his tough play and shorthandedness, he needs to keep up.
“The physical side and having a color in your arsenal, it’s important to realize that. Lots of players can do it, but don’t want to. Him, even if defending is not sexy, he finds it cool, ”said the coach.
Jacob took the opportunity to thank Desharnais because it was thanks to him that he was able to launch the concept he had in mind: teaching dedicated to defenders in small groups (maximum of 6) to personalize everything, including via video extracts.
“I’ve always wanted to start a project like this, I thought it was a neglected position which is very cerebral. It was Jean St-Pierre from McGill University who established the link between us,” concluded Jacob, who also helps Alexandre Carrier, Maveric Lamoureux, Jonathan Aspirot and defenders represented by the Quartexx agency.
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