[citation needed] Despite his junior success, Desharnais was passed over in the NHL Entry Draft, due in part to his small size.

[citation needed] Following his successful season, Desharnais was again invited to the Canadiens' training camp in 2008, after which Montreal signed him to a two-year, two-way contract.

[citation needed] In the midst of another stellar season in Hamilton after signing a one-year contract extension, Desharnais was recalled by the Canadiens on December 31, 2010.

[2] He scored his first NHL goal on January 12, 2011, deflecting a P. K. Subban point-shot past Marc-André Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

[4] During the 2012–13 NHL lock-out, he played in the Swiss National League A for HC Fribourg-Gottéron, scoring 16 points in 16 games.

[citation needed] As a free agent, Desharnais opted to halt his North American career, agreeing to sign a one-year deal with Russian club, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL on July 2, 2018.