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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Flames’ Phaneuf joins top rookie race


Edmonton's Georges Laraque is knocked into the boards by Calgary's Dion Phaneuf during an October game.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

Move over, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, there’s a new rookie star around – Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

The talk in October was about Crosby’s selection as rookie of the month. He came in with the better publicity and took the award many thought should have gone to Ovechkin – the Washington forward chosen with the 2004 top pick, one year before Crosby went first.

But come November, Crosby couldn’t make it two straight and Ovechkin didn’t lock up his first. This was Phaneuf’s time.

Phaneuf, who played for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League, led rookie defenseman scoring with nine points, and two of his three goals were game winners. He averaged 20 minutes of ice time and helped the defending Western Conference champions go 10-2-1 in November.

In his first matchup with Crosby, Phaneuf didn’t get on the scoresheet but more important for the defenseman, neither did Pittsburgh’s Crosby in Calgary’s 3-2 victory last Saturday.

“Sid is a very skilled player. That’s no secret,” said the 20-yeard-old Edmonton, Alberta, native, chosen ninth in the 2003 draft. “He’s done a great job at the start of the year here, putting up some very good numbers.

“There’s not one guy that stands out. Everyone is very skilled.”

That includes this strong rookie class.

Phaneuf edged Crosby, who had 10 goals and 14 points, and his Penguins teammate defenseman Ryan Whitney (nine assists) for the monthly award.

Also making bids were Ottawa goaltender Ray Emery (4-0, 2.25 GAA, one shutout), New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (4-1, 2.58 GAA), Ovechkin (seven goals, five assists) and Colorado forward Marek Svatos (seven goals, six assists).

Thornton makes big difference

Ron Wilson isn’t about to give Joe Thornton all the credit for San Jose’s recent improved play, though the coach knows one big personnel change can do wonders for the psyche of a struggling franchise.

The Sharks lost 10 straight before winning their first three games after acquiring Thornton from Boston last week in a blockbuster trade.

Thornton is an aggressive center and reliable playmaker known for improving everybody around him, and so far he’s doing just that with his new team. He had eight points through his first four games, scoring his first goal in his home debut Tuesday night – a 5-3 victory against Atlanta.

San Jose scored at least five goals in four consecutive victories for the first time in franchise history. The Sharks are improving on the power play and making smarter decisions with the puck.

“Guys are starting to feel confident,” Wilson said. “For whatever reason, they weren’t before, I don’t know.”

Even after Thursday night’s win over Florida, the Sharks were still sitting in last place in the Pacific Division and knowing they have a lot of work remaining, not to mention a lot of season left to play.

San Jose would like to regain the top form it had during an impressive run to the Western Conference finals in 2004, when the Sharks lost to Calgary. After a road-heavy schedule early this season, the Sharks finally were ready to enjoy four straight home games and five of six on their ice in the Shark Tank.

“We weren’t getting the effort we’re getting now during the 10-game losing streak,” said center Patrick Marleau, who had a franchise-record 12 points in a four-game stretch through Thursday’s victory. “We’ve got to keep the focus on winning games. We have this homestand to get back in the playoff picture.”

With Thornton, a 26-year-old former No. 1 draft pick, the Sharks seem to have new life, and perhaps a hint of swagger again.