WHL: QA with Dion Phaneuf, Part Two

Yesterday in Part One of our interview with Dion Phaneuf, he spoke with us about the Team Canada experience. Today's finale has a focus on Brent Sutter's influence, as well as various issues on and off the ice.

THE SUTTER CONNECTION

McKeen's: What has being under the tutelage of Brent Sutter meant to you, both personally and professionally?

Phaneuf: Brent's done a lot for my career. He's helped me since day one when I was 16 here and he coaches the same way every day. I just come to the rink to learn as much as I can and take it day-by-day.

McKeen's: Do you think your time with Brent in Red Deer is going to give you a leg up when it comes to finally getting to Darryl in Calgary in terms of what will be expected of you on and off the ice?

Phaneuf: They're two different guys, but they definitely have similar coaching styles. I want to worry about that whenever I get the opportunity to maybe step up there.

McKeen's: Brent Sutter told us that he's spoken with you about the lockout situation and also that Darryl Sutter has done the same. Has that helped in keeping your mind focused on what's right in front of you?

Phaneuf: Yeah, this is all I can concentrate on right now. I'm in Red Deer playing for the Rebels and that's all I'm concentrating on right now.

KEEPING IT ALL IN CHECK

McKeen's: You've been recognized by your peers in junior hockey quite a bit. Between being a high draft choice to being named the WHL's Best Defenseman and the accolades in between, you're a guy that commands a lot of attention. What do you do to keep focused on improving your game and not get caught up in all the media attention?

Phaneuf: Well, I just play my game and I don't pay attention to the stuff on the outside because I can't control it. I just want to come to the rink and get better every day and that's been my goal since I was 16 here.

McKeen's: You were born after the first few Oilers cups and were pretty young during the last wins, but what did growing up in the City of Champions mean to you as a hockey player during your development?

Phaneuf: Oh, the Oilers were huge back then and they still are. It's a great hockey city and it's definitely a great place to grow up.

McKeen's: You and Colin Fraser and the team were involved in a fundraiser with the Canadian Red Cross for Tsunami relief. All told, $20,000 was raised. Not only did you donate an autographed stick to the cause, but you also matched the amount your stick raised with your own money. Why was this cause important to you?

Phaneuf: It's definitely something that was important to me. It's something very terrible that happened over there and I thought that was maybe how I could help a little bit.

McKeen's: You and Calgary agreed to a contract right before the CBA expired. It seems likely that entry level contracts are going to be cut back noticeably with a new CBA, so is it nice to have that peace of mind that your deal is done already – even if we have no idea when the NHL will get back on the ice?

Phaneuf: It was very good to get my contract out of the way. It's one less thing I have to worry about. I just want to play the game and that's what I'm doing here in Red Deer.