Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian-born ice hockey player who plies his trade with the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. He was drafted back in 2003 by the Calgary Flames, however, he did not make his NHL debut until 2005. After his stint with the Calgary Flames, Phaneuf also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators before eventually joining the Los Angeles Kings in February 2018.
Among other highlights of his long-running career, Phaneuf has been named for 3 NHL All-Star games. He has also had a good run playing for the Canadian national team. He won silver with Team Canada at the 2004 World Junior Hockey Championship and also won gold at the 2007 Men’s World Ice Hockey Championship.
Dion Phaneuf Bio, Age
Dion Phaneuf was born on April 10, 1985, in Edmonton, in the province of Alberta, Canada. Both his parents are originally from the province of Prince Edward Island. His mother, Amber, is a nurse and his father, Paul, earned his living as a construction worker. He was raised alongside a younger brother named Dane. Dion’s mother is a former figure skater and he is also a fourth cousin to the former competitive figure skater, Cynthia Phaneuf.
Growing up, Phaneuf’s father maintained a rink in the backyard of the family’s home every winter and he also used the family’s basement for practice. At age 15, the talented youngster joined the Red Deer Rebels following the 2000 WHL Bantam Draft. After one year of honing his skills, he was called to the Rebels’ first team for the 2001–02 season during which he recorded 17 points in 67 games. He ultimately spent 4 seasons with the Rebels during which he totaled 64 goals and 146 points in 255 regular-season appearances. Among many highlights of his junior career, Phaneuf won the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s top defenceman for 2 straight seasons (2004 and 2005).
Pro Career
In the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Dion Phaneuf was selected 9th overall by the Calgary Flames. However, he did not join the Flames until 2005 when he signed his first professional contract with the team. His pro career took off on a high note as he had an impressive rookie season. The talented player posted 20 goals in the 2005-06 season and thus, he set a new record for the highest number of goals by a rookie defenceman in the history of the Calgary Flames. He was also named to 2 NHL All-Star Games (2007 and 2008) during his spell with the Flames.
Phaneuf’s stint with the team came to an end following a not-so-impressive 2008–09 season during which he recorded a career-low 11 goals and 47 points. The NHL star was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in January 2010 in a 7-player deal. He was named the Captain of the Leafs on June 14, 2010, and he achieved his third All-Star Game appearance in 2012. After a 7-season stint with Toronto, Phaneuf exited the team in February 2016 when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators as part of a blockbuster nine-player deal.
His first season with Ottawa was shortened owing to a foot injury incurred on March 12, 2016, however, he was named the team’s alternate captain at the start of the 2016-17 season. After three seasons with the Ottawa Senators, veteran NHL player Dion Phaneuf was traded to the Los Angeles Kings on February 13, 2018, in exchange for Marián Gáborík and Nick Shore.
Dion Phaneuf Net Worth
Dion Phaneuf’s net worth is pegged at a conservative estimate of $4 million. Expectedly, the greater chunk of this sum has accrued from his multi-million dollar player contracts over the years. The veteran NHL star has also bagged several juicy endorsement deals over the years.
Wife, Daughter
Dion Phaneuf is currently married to Hollywood actress Elisha Cuthbert. The two got together in May 2008 and after dating for 4 years, they got engaged in September 2012. They tied the knot on July 6, 2013, in a ceremony held in Summerfield, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The couple has one child together, a daughter named Zaphire, born on December 21, 2017.
Height and Other Body Measurements
Dion Phaneuf stands at an imposing height of 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm). He keeps his athletic physique at a bodyweight of 99 kg (219 lb). A well-rounded player, Phaneuf combines good defensive play with impressive offensive abilities.
