Phaneuf, who last played in the NHL in 2018-19, was a finalist for two major awards and the captain of one of the NHL's marquee teams during his career.
"The last couple weeks where I knew that I was going to formally announce my retirement, you do a lot of reflecting," Phaneuf said Tuesday. "Growing up in Edmonton, my dad always made a backyard rink for me and when we played out there, it was my dream to play in the National Hockey League. When I look back at my journey, you just wanted to play a game but I was very fortunate to make a living playing this great game. I enjoyed every part of the journey, I played with some great teammates, played for some great ownership. You don't have enough time to thank everybody."
The defenseman (6-foot-4, 222-pounds) combined physical play with offensive skill and logged heavy minutes. He scored 494 points (137 goals, 357 assists) while averaging 23:28 of ice time in 1,048 regular-season games, plus 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) while averaging 23:49 in 55 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"I feel how your teammates remember you is really what matters because you're in that locker room and battling with them on a nightly basis," Phaneuf said. "I hope I'm remembered as a guy who competed, that played the game hard and would do anything for his teammates and played the game the right way. I took pride in being a physical player but I also enjoyed the offensive side of it too.
I hope I'm remembered that way. You don't have individual success in this game without your teammates."
Phaneuf, selected No. 9 by the Calgary Flames in the 2003 NHL Draft, scored 49 points (20 goals, 29 assists) in 82 games for the Flames in 2005-06 and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL's rookie of the year, finishing third behind forwards Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The goal total was Phaneuf's NHL career high.
He scored 60 points (17 goals, 43 assists) in 82 games for the Flames in 2007-08; was runner-up to Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL's best defenseman; and was named an NHL First Team All-Star. The assist and point totals were his NHL career highs.
After scoring 228 points (75 goals, 153 assists) in 378 games for Calgary, Phaneuf was traded to the Maple Leafs on Jan. 31, 2010. He was named Maple Leafs captain on June 14, 2010, and scored 196 points (45 goals, 151 assists) in 423 games in Toronto.
"It was a special honor to represent the Maple Leafs as team captain -- a point of pride and honor I will carry with me forever," Phaneuf said.
