from Curtis Zupke of the LA Times,

Unlike most players who learn the pro game in the minors, Phaneuf went straight from the Red Deer Rebels to the Calgary Flames after the 2004-05 lockout and he has been an every-game NHL player since.

He highlighted that fact when asked if he’s ever been a healthy scratch before in his NHL career.

“Never,” Phaneuf said. “Does that answer your question?”

Phaneuf is prideful about that track record. His first public comments about that run ending were stubborn and bordered on defiance, after interim coach Willie Desjardins sat the longtime defenseman Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers for the first time in a career that’s spanned more than 1,000 games.

“I talked to Willie,” Phaneuf said. “[It’s] Willie’s decision. I talked to [general manager] Rob [Blake]. For me, I’ve got a job to do. I come to work every day. It’s obviously something that I wasn’t happy about. But I respect the decision. I respect our team. I respect my teammates. It’s all about winning games.”

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