Ducks' Despres credits time in Pittsburgh for his success

After scoring the biggest goal of his career so far, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Simon Despres said he owes a lot to the team that drafted him.

Despres scored the game-winning goal (his first career playoff marker) in the Ducks' 2-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3, and as he continues to grow, the 23-year-old is thankful to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"I'm growing as a player," Despres told reporters. "Every year in Pittsburgh I got better and better. I learned a lot in Pittsburgh. I'll never forget my years in Pittsburgh. I wouldn't be the same player if I didn't go through Pittsburgh and all the lessons I learned over there."

Despres was drafted 30th overall by the Penguins in 2009, but was dealt to the Ducks at the trade deadline this season in exchange for defenseman Ben Lovejoy. He played 144 games with Pittsburgh over the last four seasons.

Despres had three goals and 23 points in 75 games split between the two clubs during the regular season, and has a goal and seven points in 12 postseason games.