Despres Named Penguins Rookie Of The Year
Published on April 24, 2013 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release
SAINT JOHN - Another former Sea Dog has earned some hardware as teams announce their individual award winners. Simon Despres was named the Pittsburgh Penguins Michel Briere Rookie of the Year during yesterday's game between the Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres.
Despres, a native of Laval, QC and just two seasons removed from Saint John's 2011 Memorial Cup winning campaign, spent the majority of last season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Pittsburgh's American Hockey League affiliate.
The 6'4", 214-pound defender was selected by the Penguins in the first round, 30th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He spent two more seasons with the Sea Dogs after being drafted, breaking into the professional ranks during the 2011-12 season with Wilkes-Barre. He played 44 games with the mini-Penguins, scoring five times and assisting on 10 others for 15 points. He also featured in 18 games for the NHL squad and had a goal and three assists.
This year, Despres has cracked the NHL full-time, playing in 31 games while chipping in two goals and five helpers for seven points. He carries a +9 differential and his solid play lent itself to a nod as the team's Rookie of the Year.
Nathan Beaulieu received a similar honour, along with three other awards, when the Hamilton Bulldogs handed out their annual awards last weekend.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from April 24, 2013
- Mooseheads' Jonathan Drouin Named CHL Player of the Week - QMJHL
- 46 QMJHL Players in Final 2013 NHL Central Scouting Draft Rankings - QMJHL
- Despres Named Penguins Rookie Of The Year - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Sea Dogs Giving Back - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Two Sea Dogs Make Final Draft Rankings - Saint John Sea Dogs
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