 Damphousse was born in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, Quebec.As a youth, he played in the 1992 and 1993 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with minor ice hockey teams from Central Mauricie, and Sainte-Foy, Quebec City.Damphousse was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft with the 24th overall pick.