BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Northern Life's series on local OHL young guns concludes
today.
Lively's Andrew Desjardins isn't a good
listener, and that trait has helped him become one of the
better two-way forwards in the OHL.
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Andrew Desjardins jumped from three
goals and nine points in 55 games in 2003/04 to 17
goals and 34 points in 68 games in 2004/2005. |
Growing up, Desjardins had many people
telling him about how hard it was to make the OHL, especially
after he was a 15th round pick, by Sault Ste. Marie, in the
2002 draft out of AAA major bantam in Onaping Falls.
Desjardins, 18, never listened to his
skeptics.
After a season with the Rayside-Balfour
Sabrecats, Desjardins earned a job with the Sault, thus
becoming a perfect example of how long shots can reach their
dreams with a lot of hard work.
"There's a lot of guys, who get picked in the
later rounds, that end up making their teams," said Desjardins.
"I guess it's about working harder to prove you belong. You
have to go all out to make the team. You have to work hard and
do what you do best on the ice. Don't try and play out of your
element."
Desjardins took a big step in terms of his
development in the last year, especially when former NHL coach
and player Craig Hartsburg took over from Marty Abrams early on
in the 2004-05 season.
Desjardins jumped from three goals and nine
points in 55 games in 2003-04 to 17 goals and 34 points in 68
games.
Despite the personal excellence, Desjardins
was still a bit reserved on how the season turned out.
"It was an alright season, but the first
round collapse to Windsor in the playoffs was a let down," said
Desjardins. "It was a learning experience for the team. We
found out no one can ever let up. You always have to push
forward and never look back."
Desjardins made the most out of his second
season, playing with the likes of NHL superstar-in-waiting Jeff
Carter and learning under the tutelage of Hartsburg.
"What a great place and time to play," said
Desjardins. "Carter is a great guy to look up to. He's one of
the best players, maybe the best, in the OHL. Carter teaches
you a lot just by watching him in practice and games. Hartsburg
is just an amazing coach. He came from the NHL. You can't ask
to learn from someone better."
The Greyhounds are eager to see Desjardins
push the accelerator down even further for 2005-06. "Andrew got
the chance to play and succeeded," said Sault head coach Craig
Hartsburg. "He has gotten better in his two seasons here. This
past season, Andrew settled into a two-way role, and produced
17 goals. He plays hard and smart all the time. Andrew is a
good part of our team and does a lot of things you like to
see."
Desjardins has only one goal for next season,
and that's to become a bigger pain in the neck of his
opposition.
"I want to do what I did this past year, but
only better," said Desjardins. "I want to become an even better
rounded player, put up a few more points and have a better
plus/minus. To do that, I have to work hard this summer to
improve my shot, speed and strength. I am not skilled
offensively, but I am not lacking in defence. I bring strong
corner work and I like the cycle game and grinding and checking
players."
Desjardins loves to play back in
Sudbury.
"It gives me a lot of momentum coming home to
play," said Desjardins. "There's a big rivalry between Sault
and Sudbury. When you get into the building and everybody is
yelling at you, it's just neat and pushes you to show the
people what you can do."
Desjardins will work this summer and train
like never before in order to make a bigger splash with the
Greyhounds in 2005-06.
Desjardins also received an opportunity to
attend the Los Angeles Kings try out camp because of his hard
work.
