As a youth, Després played in the 2004 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Laval, Quebec.\n', '

Després began his major junior ice hockey career with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)\'s Saint John Sea Dogs, who acquired Després with the first overall selection at the 2007 QMJHL Entry Draft. He scored his first QMJHL goal on September 23, 2007, against the Lewiston Maineiacs. After two seasons of play, Després was rated as the top professional prospect in the QMJHL by several scouting bureaus and media outlets in anticipation of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft (June 26–27 in Montreal). On June 26, 2009, he was drafted 30th overall in the NHL Entry Draft by the League\'s recently crowned Stanley Cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins.\n', '

Remaining with Saint John for the 2009–10 season, Després appeared in 63 games, scoring nine goals and 47 points, as the Sea Dogs had a League-best 109 points. He helped the Sea Dogs reach the President\'s Cup finals, though Saint John lost to the Moncton Wildcats in six games. In 21 playoff games, he had two goals and 19 points.\n', '

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