ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Desharnais Named Most Valuable Player Of ECHL

April 11, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


CINCINNATI, Ohio - Cincinnati Cyclones rookie center David Desharnais has won the ECHL's ‘Most Valuable Player' award the league office announced this afternoon Becoming the fifth rookie in ECHL history to also claim the MVP honors as well. The Cyclones are the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators.

Desharnais, a native of Quebec City, is the first Cyclones player to ever capture the Most Valuable Player award. He led the ECHL in scoring this season, leading the league in points (106), assists (77), power play assists (39) and finished +38 in plus/minus rating to lead all rookies and finishing second in the statistic among all players. The Cyclones were 44-6-2 when David had a point. He is the fourth rookie to lead the ECHL in scoring.

The 5-foot-6, 177 pounder had points in 50 games and had multiple points in 31 of those contests. David registered the tenth-most points by a rookie in history and the most by a first-year player since 1996-97.

Desharnais claimed All-Rookie Team honors and First Team All-ECHL kudos last week He has also taken the ‘Leading Scorer' trophy and the John Daley Award for being the league's Rookie of the Year. David won the ECHL's Rookie of the Month honors in November, February and March. He also established a league record with a 20-game assist streak from Jan. 5 through Feb. 29. He also had a 27-game point streak from Dec. 31 through March 12, the longest of the season and fourth-longest in ECHL history.

"David Desharnais is very deserving of the MVP award," Cyclones Head Coach Chuck Weber said. "He is the first guy on the ice and the last one off. David works hard on every element of his game and wants to get better every day."

Desharnais played last season with Chicoutimi (QMJHL), where he amassed 108 points on 38 goals and 70 assists in 61 games. David also appeared in seven games with Bridgeport (AHL). A three-time winner of the Frank Selke Trophy as the league's Most Sportsmanlike Player, Desharnais has signed an AHL contract with Hamilton since joining the Cyclones.

Cincinnati captured the Brabham Cup for the ECHL's best overall regular season record, turning in a 55-12-5 record. The Cyclones will have home ice advantage for all postseason series throughout the duration of the Kelly Cup playoffs.

The Cincinnati Cyclones play host to Johnstown to night (April 11) and Saturday night (April 12) at 7:30pm at U.S. Bank Arena. Tickets for all Cyclones games can be purchased at the U.S. Bank Arena box office, all Ticketmaster outlets including select Kroger stores, charge by phone at 513-562-4949 or online at ticketmaster.com. The most up-to-date information and broadcast of the games can be found on our website www.cycloneshockey.com.

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