Vincent Desharnais
Canadian defenceman for the Washington Capitals.
Vincent Desharnais (born May 29, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the seventh round, 183rd overall, of the 2016 NHL entry draft.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 29 May 1996
- Birthplace
- Laval, Quebec, Canada
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Right
- League
- NHL
- Team
- Washington Capitals
- Former teams
- Edmonton Oilers
- Vancouver Canucks
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- San Jose Sharks
- Draft
- 183rd overall
Facts from the source article.
Playing career
Vincent Desharnais spent the 2014-15 season with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL before moving on to Providence College, where he played NCAA hockey from 2015 to 2019. In his senior year, he was named the Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman. The Edmonton Oilers selected him in the seventh round of the 2016 draft, which was his third time being eligible. After three years in the minors with the ECHL's Wichita Thunder and the AHL's Bakersfield Condors, Desharnais inked a two-year entry-level deal with the Oilers in March 2022. He made his NHL debut on January 11, 2023, helping Edmonton beat the Anaheim Ducks 6-2. His first NHL goal came on October 29, 2023, during an outdoor game against the Calgary Flames that ended in a 5-2 Oilers win. Desharnais skated in the Stanley Cup playoffs with Edmonton in both 2022 and 2023. On July 1, 2024, he joined the Vancouver Canucks as an unrestricted free agent on a two-year contract worth $4 million. In 34 games during the 2024-25 season, he put up three assists and 34 penalty minutes. On January 31, 2025, Vancouver traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of a package that also included a conditional 2025 first-round pick, Danton Heinen, and Melvin Fernström, with Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor heading the other way. He played ten games for the Penguins, finishing with a plus-4 rating and four penalty minutes. On March 5, 2025, Pittsburgh sent him to the San Jose Sharks for a fifth-round pick in 2028. Desharnais signed a four-year, $16.8 million contract with the Washington Capitals on July 1, 2026.
Personal life
Vincent Desharnais is the youngest sibling in his family, and he points to his father Jacques and brother Alex as the people who shaped his hockey career. He shares a last name with former Montreal Canadiens center David Desharnais, but they are not related. Desharnais has been open about his mental health battles in the NHL, describing how a concussion during his first professional season led to a slow recovery, anxiety attacks, and depression. He now sees that time as a lesson in accepting help and learning to manage his anxiety. In 2019, he was nominated for the Hockey Humanitarian Award for hosting "PC Beats Cancer," a fundraiser that brought in over $5,100 for the Gloria Gemma Foundation. The following year, he shaved his head and raised more than $6,000 for the Défi Tête rasée Leucan. In 2022, he teamed up with Kevin Raphael for another head-shaving challenge that raised over $50,000 for Leucan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Vincent Desharnais born?
Vincent Desharnais was born on 29 May 1996 in Laval, Quebec, Canada.
What position does Vincent Desharnais play?
Vincent Desharnais's position is listed as Defence.
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