Elliot Desnoyers drops the gloves in NHL preseason debut against the Bruins

Photo by Christopher Maher

Elliot Desnoyers got his chance to show Flyers fans what he can bring to the table, and he did not fail to impress. Monday night against the Boston Bruins, Desnoyers centered a line with veteran James van-Reimsdyk & young forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Desnoyers, 19, was signed to a three-year entry level deal back on May 5th, five days before the Flyers last regular season game of the 2020-21 season. 

Desnoyers didn’t participate in Developmemt Camp. He was battling a hip injury that he had surgery for over the summer. He did participate in Rookie Camp though and Flyers main camp, and definently impressed. He is a very skilled player that doesn’t back down for being a smaller center.

Desnoyers recently practiced with the Flyers on Friday (10/1), and looked pretty good skating with the big club. He took part in drills and did some skills work with Coach Angelo Ricci. I talked with him after practice. “It was a really good pace. I felt awesome and it was great to learn from those guys.” he said after practice. He also mentioned he’s “Truly excited” for this season. Elliot said he was worried all summer with his injury and just being back to normal. “I’m feeling really good so I’m really happy about that”, he added. I asked if he knew where he was playing this year, he said he’s not sure where he’ll start. 

On the line with JVR & NAK,  Desnoyers played 13:09 in ATOI, registered one shot on goal and one hit. He had some good offensive plays, and a few scoring chances. In the later stages of the first period, Oskar Lindblom hit him in the slot for a one timer. It was a really good setup and Lindblom was so patient. Boston goalie Swayman made the save with his head, and it deflected out in the slot. 

Desnoyers is listed at 5’11-183 lbs, so you wouldn’t really expect him to fight, but he dropped the mitts with veteran Bruins defenseman John Moore, who’s 6’4-204 lbs. Clearly, not a close battle on the measurement side of things but Desnoyers stood his ground with Moore. After the game Head Coach Alain Vigneault spoke on the fight and said it was “French Canadian Blood in him” that made him go. Elliot also said that was his first fight ever, having never fought in Junior.

One last thing about Elliot, I asked him if there was anything he wanted to showcase this year. He responded, “I want to show people that I am someone who never give up and that willing to do anything to win”. Yeah, he definitely did that Monday night against the Bruins.

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