Rounding out their signings for the month of August, the Maine Mariners announced the addition of rookie forward Jonathan Desbiens. The two sides agreed to terms on a standard player contract for the upcoming season. Desbiens makes the jump to pro from Bentley University where he recently graduated from.
A native of Rosemère, Quebec, Desbiens got his junior career started with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. After his first season with team, where he played 48 games, scoring six goals and four assists, Desbiens made the trip back home and joined the West Kelowna Warriors in the BCHL. In 2015-16, the Warriors won the BCHL championship where Desbiens led all league players in playoff goals.
Desbiens began his college career in 2016-17 for the Bentley Falcons. Posting 20 points as a freshman, he continually increased his points through to his junior year, scoring 31 points. Doing so in 35 games, he was named to the Atlantic Hockey Third Team All-Conference. As Desbiens departs the Falcons hockey program, he leaves with 102 points which the Canadian amassed in 139 games.
With Desbiens having played in the BCHL and the NCAA, head coach and AGM Riley Armstrong said of the adjustments one makes between the two, “Playing over in the BCHL, you have to be able to skate and you have to have some creativity on the offensive side of the puck. Going to the NCAA, they really teach you a defensive mindset. I think having that outlook for him as a player knowing both sides of the puck, is really going to help him adjust to the pro game. I think he’s going to be an eye-opening forward that we’re bringing in this year. We’re really excited to grab him.”