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Guillaume Latendresse
Guillaume Latendresse (born May 24, 1987 in Sainte-Catherine, Québec) is an ice hockey forward. He currently plays for the Montreal Canadiens, having been drafted by them in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, 2nd round (45th overall). His brother Olivier plays for the Val d'Or Foreurs and is a draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes.
Latendresse, a power forward, was the 2nd overall choice in 2003 QMJHL's entry draft by the Drummondville Voltigeurs, just after Sidney Crosby. He played three seasons with the Voltigeurs. Latendresse went on the Montreal Canadiens' training camp in 2005. The Canadiens returned him to the Voltigeurs. He made the Canadian World Junior team that won the gold medal in 2006 but head coach Brent Sutter felt that Latendresse was always on his own page and he had him benched for most of the tournament. Latendresse tried out again for the 2007 World Junior Team, but he was cut due to a concussion he sustained after being accidentally elbowed in the head by Steve Downie, a Canadian junior player.
Latendresse's impressive training camp in 2006 prompted Canadiens' coach Guy Carbonneau to give the 19-year-old a roster spot on September 29, and General Manager Bob Gainey made Carbonneau's decision official by signing Latendresse to a three-year deal worth $850,000 US per year - the NHL rookie maximum.
After Chris Higgins suffered an ankle injury, Latendresse was bumped up to the first line. On November 7th, 2006, during his first game on the first line, Latendresse tapped in a rebound passed Dwayne Rolosson to record his first career NHL goal against the Edmonton Oilers, 1:04 into the third period. The goal was originally credited to linemate Saku Koivu, but was later changed, in the third period of the game, and credited to Latendresse. After hearing his name announced as the official goal scorer, he received a loud standing ovation from the sell-out crowd in Montreal (21,273).
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