Dion Phaneuf

Dion Phaneuf (google images)

A hero is someone that people look up to. Known as “Double Dion” and “Neuf”, Dion Phaneuf is a perfect example of a hero. I chose Dion Phaneuf as my hero because he shines in the NHL, which is something I have always dreamed of doing. Dion Phaneuf is caring, brave, and loyal. He is a great player, who is incredibly talented.

Dion Phaneuf is caring and loyal. He shows that he is caring and loyal because he takes salary cuts every year so his team can afford fellow great players. Dion plays for the Calgary Flames and is considered one of the most coachable players in the NHL, which shows that he respects his coaches, trainers, and staff. That is helpful because he is young, so he will probably continue to improve. He also protects his teammates. But, make no mistake; Phaneuf only fights to protect a teammate or himself. He also motivates his team with his great open ice hits that gets his team going and pumps them up so they play well. He also stays loyal to his country by representing Canada in the IIHF World Cup, the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and he will likely compete in the Winter Olympics in 2010 for Canada.

Dion Phaneuf is brave. He shows that he is brave because as a rookie Dion was only 20 years old and immediately started delivering huge body blasts. That takes guts because there could be people up to two feet taller and 100 pounds heavier, and several years older. He has a great slap shot and fires it at goalies whenever he gets the chance. He also steps in front of opposing players shots in order to save goals, which shows bravery because players in the NHL can shoot over 100 mph. He is not afraid of anyone and will battle for loose pucks with the toughest players in the NHL

On top of all the things that make him a hero, Dion Phaneuf is also an incredibly talented star in the NHL. In Phaneuf’s rookie year, he immediately became a star. He finished the year with 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points. He also had one playoff goal. He most likely would have gone to the All-Star game, but because of the Olympics in 2006 he didn’t. In Phaneuf’s second year, he scored 17 goals and 33 assists for 50 points. He went to the All-Star game; also he scored one playoff goal. This season is Phaneuf’s third and probably best. He went to the All-Star game and has 13 goals and 32 assists for 45 points with about 20 games still left. Dion Phaneuf is known for his great shots and huge hits.

Because of his hero like characteristics and great play, Phaneuf is admired by children all over the world and is respected by many adults. Most people dream about what Phaneuf has done, and that is what makes him my HERO.

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SOURCES: “Dion Phaneuf.” Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia 2008. 4 March 2008. 6 March 2008

“2007-08 Calgary Flames Season.” Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia 2008. 5 March 2008. 6 March 2008