Vincent Damphousse



Vincent Francois Damphousse (born December 17, 1967) is a retired Canadian professional hockey player in the NHL. He played centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens and San Jose Sharks. He was signed as an unrestricted free-agent by the Colorado Avalanche in 2004 during the off-season, but he never played with the team due to the lockout that canceled the 2004–05 season.

Playing career


Damphousse was picked by the Toronto Maple Leafs 6th overall in the first round of the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. In 1991, playing as a Maple Leaf, he was named MVP of the NHL All Star Game, being one of only four players (at that time) to ever score 4 goals in a single All-Star matchup. Damphousse played five seasons in Toronto before moving to the Edmonton Oilers. He found himself playing for his hometown team, the Montreal Canadiens the next season, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 1993 before moving to the San Jose Sharks during the 1998–99 season. He also spent a brief stint in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga playing for the Ratingen Lions. His last team was technically the Colorado Avalanche, with which he signed on August 19, 2004, but he never took the ice for them; the 2004–05 NHL season was canceled because of a lockout.

Damphousse was a member of the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) executive committee, serving as vice president under Trevor Linden. Damphousse was once mistaken for Vincent Lecavalier by master hockey legend Bill Watters on Sportsnet Connected during a Leafs broadcast.

Retirement
Damphousse announced his retirement on September 7, 2005. He currently lives in Montreal.

Awards

 * Played in NHL All-Star Game - 1991, 1992, 2002.
 * NHL All-Star Game MVP - 1991
 * QMJHL Second All-Star Team - 1986
 * Stanley Cup champion - 1993 (Montreal)

International play

 * 1996 - Played for Canada in the World Cup of Hockey.