Dion Phaneuf

Dion Phaneuf is a defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally drafted by the Calgary Flames in the first round, number nine overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut for the Flames during the 2005-06 season, playing in all 82 games. During his rookie season, he posted 49 points on 20 goals and 29 assists, and registered 93 penalty minutes.http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=62548

Phaneuf made his NHL debut on October 5, 2005, in a match-up between the Flames and the Minnesota Wild. In his debut game, he took four shots on goal, posted a -1 plus/minus rating, and logged 24:10 of time on ice in 25 shifts. Phaneuf went on to log his first goal, assist, and multiple point game in his fourth NHL game on October 10, 2005, against the Colorado Avalanche.http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470602&season=20052006&view=gamelog

Dion Phaneuf was traded to the Maple Leafs on January 31, 2010, along with Keith Aulie and Fredrik Sjostrom. In return, the Flames received Ian White, Nicklas Hagman, Matt Stajan, and Jamal Mayers.http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.cgi?3507

Dion Phaneuf was born on April 10, 1985, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to Paul and Amber Phaneuf. He also has a younger brother, Dane, who plays junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL).http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=3976c638-3e7a-4321-8de0-7b213b8d0545

Phaneuf's parents each helped their son develop his hockey game at a young age. His father built him a backyard rink to use during the winter, and helped him practice. His mother, meanwhile, helped teach him how to skate. She is a former competitive figure skater that represented Prince Edward Island in the 1975 Canada Winter Games.http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/sports/story.html?id=3976c638-3e7a-4321-8de0-7b213b8d0545

Dion Phaneuf played his major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Red Deer Rebels. He appeared in 255 WHL games during his four years with the Rebels, during which he logged 146 points on 64 goals, 27 on the power play, and 82 assists. He also posted a +75 plus/minus rating, and 554 penalty minutes. In 70 playoff appearances, he logged 32 points on 10 goals, four on the power play, and 22 assists. He also notched a +5 plus/minus rating, and recorded 90 penalty minutes. During his 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons, he played on the WHL East First All-Star Team and received the WHL Bill Hunter Trophy for Top Defenseman.http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.cgi?3507

Phaneuf began his professional hockey career in the NHL. He played over four seasons with the Calgary Flames before he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2009-10 season. In 401 NHL games through the 2009-10 season, he posted 238 points on 77 goals and 161 assists. He scored 48 of his goals on the power play, one short-handed, and 22 were game-winning goals. He also posted 556 penalty minutes. In his 25 playoff appearances, he logged 12 points on five goals and seven assists, and recorded 22 penalty minutes.http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.cgi?3507

During his rookie 2005-06 NHL season, Dion Phaneuf was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. He was also named to the NHL First All-Star Team during his 2007-08 season He also played in the NHL All-Star during the 2006-07 season as well.http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.cgi?3507

Dion Phaneuf began the 2010-11 season as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his first 27 games of the 2010-11 season, Phaneuf logged eight points on one goal and seven assists. He also posted 42 penalty minutes.http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.cgi?3507