Ex-Edmonton Oilers defenceman Vincent Desharnais walked into Rogers Place as an enemy for the first time in his short NHL career this morning.
The hulking 6-foot-7 defenceman spent the last two seasons playing with the Oilers. It’s where he made his NHL debut at the age of 26 in 2023. Edmonton was also the team that drafted him in the seventh round back in the 2016 NHL Draft.
He will now take to the ice as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, one of, if not the most fierce rivals that the Oilers currently have. Though the hatred between these two teams is deep, Desharnais says he is feeling the love from Oilers fans ahead of his return.
“[Quinn]’s such a unique player. For two years, I saw Connor and Leon do their things and then I get here, you have Quinn…bringing so much to every shift on the ice.”
🗣 Vincent Desharnais speaks on playing with Quinn Hughes, and returning to Edmonton.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/bB29Iovhzd
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 23, 2025
Tonight will mark the first time he’s played in Edmonton since signing a two-year deal with the Canucks over the summer.
It’s been an up-and-down year in his first season with the Canucks. Reports surfaced that he may already be on the trade block last month, signalling that there were certainly some growing pains.
When asked about Desharnais this morning, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet only had good things to say.
“I think he’s improved over the last two or three weeks,” Tocchet said. “Early on, he struggled a little bit, but the last two, three weeks, his game’s coming. He’s moving his feet, good stick, he’s starting to come.”
“You got to embrace it as a player. You want to play these games…These are the games you play hockey for.”
🗣 Hear from Head Coach Rick Tocchet ahead of tonight’s game against the Oilers.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/Yh4i3YElP2
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 23, 2025
Desharnais did spend a bit of time on his old ice this morning with a pre-game skate. It was a moment that he took to reflect on his time with the Oilers.
“It’s good to have a little morning skate, definitely brought back some great memories,” said Desharnais.
One of the things that Oilers fans got accustomed to seeing from Desharnais during his time in Edmonton was his iconic post-win high-five with goaltender Stuart Skinner. Those two grew up within the organization and had played together in the ECHL, AHL, and, of course, the NHL.
The bond between Desharnais and Skinner is quite strong, and the ex-Oiler mentioned that he took some time to meet with the Edmonton goalie last night.
“I had dinner with Skinner last night; it’s always good to spend some time with him,” Desharnais said.
Vinny and Stu pic.twitter.com/bvVpcryPTW
— Reggie (@regwald) February 14, 2024
He only scored a single goal and put up 16 points in 114 games with Edmonton. Yet he was still held in high regard by the Oilers’ fanbase. That tradition with Skinner became an iconic moment with the team, and he endeared himself off the ice with his upbeat personality.
Being on the other side of the rivalry in his first game back will certainly be an adjustment for Desharnais.
“It’s a little different,” Desharnais said this morning. “I don’t mind it, it’s nice. You see both sides, and it’s a fun rivalry that’s kinda building up every game, and it should be a pretty high-emotion game tonight.”
Desharnais has always been an easy guy to root for throughout his career. Everybody likes an underdog story, but tonight, there will be an arena of roughly 18,000 people hoping that the former Oiler returns home to Vancouver in a sour mood.