Flames Best #3 Of All Time: Dion Phaneuf

Sometimes you are selected because you’re the obvious choice. Sometimes it’s by default. Sometimes it’s because you’re the best looking person at the ugly person contest. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the best #3 in Flames history......Dion Phaneuf. We aren’t saying Dion wasn’t a solid player, as he put his body on the line in his short time with the Flames, but as such a high pick people expected more. It just seemed like Dion Phaneuf should have been more and a player the Flames could have rode with Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kiprusoff to glory.

Phaneuf was drafted by the Flames with the 9th overall pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and played five seasons for Calgary, totaling 378 games and 228 points. He displayed a solid offensive game from the blue line, but he was known more for his hard nosed play on the ice. In four of his five full seasons in Calgary only one time would he have under 90 PIM and that was in 2009-10 where he would only sit in the bin for 83 minutes.

Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

Unfortunately for Dion Phaneuf, the timing of him being drafted was just before the Flames went on their Cup run in 2003-04 and he never had the chance to play on that squad. He would make his NHL debut in 2005-06 and play on some average Flames teams that could never replicate the success they had in ‘04, despite a fairly talented roster. His best season in Calgary would come in 2007-08 where he would play in all 82 games, score 17 goals, collect 43 assists (both career highs), tally up 182 PIM and throw 194 hits.

In the end, Phaneuf’s run with the Flames would come to a conclusion midway through the 2009-10 season as he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a deal that brought Matt Stajan to Calgary. Phaneuf would play nine more seasons with stops in Ottawa and LA after his time with the Maple Leafs had come to an end. In spite of the fact that he played more games in Toronto, Phaneuf’s best years were with the Flames and two of his three ASG appearances were while he was in Calgary. Phaneuf is currently not on an NHL roster as the LA Kings bought out his contract prior to the 2019-20 season.

Other Players Having Worn #3 In Flames History

Pat Quinn (1973-77), Pat Ribble (1978-79), Phil Russell (1979-81), Tony Curtale (1981), Steve Konroyd (1981-86), Robin Bartel (1986), Kevan Guy (1987-88), Rick Lessard (1989), Frantisek Musil (1991-95), James Patrick (1996-98), Denis Gauthier (1999-2004), Ian White (2010-11), Brett Carson (2011-13), Ladislav Smid (2014), David Schlemko (2015), Jyrki Jokipakka (2016-17), Oscar Fantenberg (2019)

Do you agree? Vote in our poll or comment below!