WHL: Rebel With A Cause

Riding high from a Team Canada gold medal from the World Junior Championships, it would have been easy for Red Deer Rebels defenseman Dion Phaneuf to relax and just concentrate on his hockey.

Instead, he decided to do what he could to make a difference in his small corner of the world.

In an interview with McKeensHockey.com, the strapping defenseman explains why it was important for him to be a part of the Rebels recent charity event with the Canadian Red Cross to raise money for Asian Tsunami victims.

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

Phaneuf and teammate Colin Fraser each donated an autographed stick to the silent auction and the team took in donations before a game against the Swift Current Broncos. That wasn't enough for Phaneuf though, who stopped by the donation table to match the amount of money raised for the stick by writing a check for $2500.

The event raised over $20,000 for the Red Cross Tsunami effort and was one of many efforts around the WHL to contribute to the cause.

Phaneuf was also one of several Rebels to take part in a unique program with the RCMP. The players toured the East Hastings Street area of Vancouver earlier in the year to get an up-close look at the bad drug trade in the area. The players then parlayed that experience into a useful teaching tool when teaming up with the Red Deer Rural RCMP to speak with junior high students in Central Alberta about the dangers of drugs.

The Rebels have been a part of this program for seven or eight years already.

PERSPECTIVE IS IMPORTANT

Being a part of the community in which they play is something Rebels head boss Brent Sutter holds near and dear to his heart and his attitude toward charitable involvement has clearly rubbed off on his players.

"I think it's important for these kids to be part of the community," Sutter explained in a recent interview with McKeen's. "You know, they're recognized here in the community and they're looked up upon by a lot of people – it's a huge thing. As an organization it's our responsibility to be out in the community and support programs and work in schools and work for different charities and stuff like that. I think it's important. It's part of the community relationship you have."

Another aspect of Sutter's mentality that shows through with Phaneuf is keeping focused on the task at hand and approaching everything in a day-to-day manner. It would be so easy for a highly-touted player like Phaneuf to get caught up in the media attention, but he doesn't. Aside from being a first round draft pick of the Calgary Flames (9th overall), Phaneuf has also claimed WHL Defenseman of the Year honors and currently sits third among all prospects on the most recent McKeen's Top 100 Skaters list. Only Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeny Malkin are ahead of him in the rankings.

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

Sutter has done his part to ensure Phaneuf keeps his eye on the puck and nothing else.

"Dion and I have had numerous discussions about staying grounded," notes Sutter.

"Whatever happens, happens. Just make sure every day he makes himself better, whether he's playing pro hockey or junior. I'm proud to say he's done that – he's made himself better."

Although Phaneuf has only played 27 games this year because of both injury and commitments to Team Canada, he's already notched 12 goals and 14 assists from the blueline.

LOOK BEYOND THE BOX SCORES

The stats, as always, are only a small part of the story though.

"He's made himself better since he was 16 here and now we have him as a 19-year old and to me there's not a question of who the best player in the league is," said Sutter.

"Number one, he's a great kid, a pretty good leader and obviously he's a very good player. What we always look at with these kids is to make sure they stay grounded. Make sure they understand and realize it's a day-to-day thing, making sure they want to make themselves better every day."

Sutter notes preparing the players mentally is likely even more important than the physical aspect of the game.

"These guys all train very hard, but to me it's between the ears a lot – making them as mentally strong as they can be for when they make the jump to the next level, which is pro hockey, because there you have to be mentally strong."

Now if we could just get the pro hockey part of the equation settled, we'd all be able to see what this talented young guy can do on NHL ice.