Pens Top Prospect Honored
Pittsburgh (KDKA)- The top prospect in the Penguins organization received a huge award today.
The Pittsburgh Penguins' 2009 first-round draft pick Simon Despres was awarded the Emile "Butch" Bouchard Trophy as best defenseman in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Despres, who was also selected as a QMJHL First-Team All-Star, completed his fourth season of junior hockey with the Saint John Sea Dogs. The 19-year-old blueliner posted 13 goals, 41 points and a plus-29 rating in just 47 games this year.
Despres, the 30th-overall selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, also competed with Team Canada in the 2011 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, N.Y. – posting three assists and a plus-7 in seven games to help Canada earn a silver medal.
In four seasons with the Sea Dogs, Despres (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) has totaled 25 goals, 109 assists, 134 points and a plus-89 in 240 games. He posted two goals and 19 points in 26 postseason games in 2009-10, leading Saint John to the QMJHL Final appearance.
