Born in Victoriaville, Quebec, DeRouville played in the QAAA with Magog before joining Longueuil Collège Français of the QMJHL. He was chosen 115th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992 then returned to junior for two more years. DeRouville represented Canada at the 1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The gifted youngster was named to the league's second all-star team in 1993 and 1994. In 1993–94 his 3.06 goals against average was the best in the QMJHL.