Dion Phaneuf
Dion's Details
About Dion
Dion Phaneuf rose to prominence after being named best defenceman at the 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Canada won gold that time out and Phaneuf was to repeat the feat at senior level two years later - but it was his performance as a junior which earned him a deal with NHL side the Calgary Flames. A 2007 poll of 141 NHL players voted Phaneuf as the league’s hardest-hitter and it is a reputation he has upheld ever since – justified by his $6.5m a season price-tag. In his first three seasons, Phaneuf was nominated for the 2007-2008 Norris Trophy, became a two-time All-Star and accumulated 159 points. Phaneuf will also be looking to make his mark on Canada’s 2010 Winter Olympic assault in front of a home-crowd in Vancouver. The Edmonton-born player has also made his mark of the pitch, dating Hollywood actress Elisha Cuthbert and featuring on the cover of the NHL 09 video game.
