New captain Phaneuf leads by example
The Good Ship Maple Leaf has been drifting aimlessly for several years.
Treacherous waters have resulted in five seasons mired in a playoff drought; and 43 years removed from a Stanley Cup.
But at least the vessel now has a captain.
To no one’s surprise, defenceman Dion Phaneuf whom the Leafs acquired from Calgary on January 31, was named the 18th captain in team history on Monday. The promotion of the 25-year-old Alberta native ends a period of two full seasons in which Toronto trainers did not stitch a “C” on any Leaf player’s sweater.
Over the course of Toronto’s final twenty-six games of the season following Phaneuf’s acquisition, head coach Ron Wilson made frequent references to the one-time Norris Trophy nominee’s impact in the dressing room. The youngest roster in the NHL that employs the likes of Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak and Luke Schenn – all 24 years of age or younger – fed off Phaneuf’s enthusiasm and energy.
“I’m very vocal. I think that’s no secret with anyone,” Phaneuf told a gathering of reporters. “I like to talk whether it’s on the ice or off the ice, and that’s a big part of who I am as a person.
Being captain is a huge honour. It’s a very special day for me to be given the opportunity.”
Wilson, who spent several years coaching in the Western Conference with Phaneuf as his nemesis, indicated that Phaneuf’s appointment was all but automatic. “When we saw how Dion affected positively the attitude of the room and the attitude of the practice facility, how he integrated himself into the community, and did all the little detailed things that you would expect from a captain, to me it was a no-brainer,” said the Leafs bench boss. “He has the respect of every player in our dressing room, but more importantly he has the respect of coaches and management.”
Leafs president Brian Burke was quick to provide an estimate of the amount of time it took for Phaneuf to put a stamp on the team.
“About 30 seconds in, when he fought Colin White (in Phaneuf’s first Leafs game, against New Jersey).”
Burke lauded the rearguard’s tenacity in challenging anyone from fellow teammates to management. “He’s barked at me a couple of times since he’s been here, about things we need. I love that. Not too many guys have enough jam to yell at the GM.”
Phaneuf’s ascension as the team’s official leader hardly comes without liabilities. Like his predecessors Mats Sundin, Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark, he will automatically be the lightning rod of criticism for any of the club’s misfortunes. His own performance will be placed under the microscope, particularly on the scoresheet, where he registered a mere two goals in the final two games of the Leafs season after playing his first 24 games in Toronto without finding the net.
With a hefty $6.5 million annual contract, Phaneuf will be expected to elevate his production to at least the standard he set for himself after scoring 39 power-play goals in his first three seasons in the league.
The challenge is there for the taking, and Phaneuf appears to be up to the task.
“I look forward to the responsibility that (the captaincy) brings. I’m going to take pride in working day in and day out and doing whatever it takes to help our team win.”
Rob Del Mundo is the author of Blue And White Beat, and is a regular columnist at TMLfans.ca
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I thought the Club’s Directors were learned people and would never agree to forfeit the first round picks to Boston. WE THE FANS ARE ALL SO TIRED OF GIVING AWAY OUR TOP PICKS. HOCKEY IS NOT JUST ENTERTAINMENT BUT A WAY OF LIFE FOR MANY PEOPLE. I HAVE PULLED BACK SINCE Mr. Ferguson and the G.M.’s after him have tried unsuccessfully to build with out the draft – we were all able to be patient for a number of years. I hope Burke makes the playoffs and not be in a lottery position next year. WHY DID HE NOT TRADE FOR KESSEL WITH LOTTERY PROTECTED PICKS – WAY TOO SMART AND AGAINST HIS HONOUR AND EGO.