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Phaneuf vacationed in P.E.I. while growing up and built a home — it includes a full fitness facility — where he likes to spend most of the off-season.

“I used to spend the summers there with my grandparents and my aunts and uncles. I’ve just continued to go back because I love it out (here),” Phaneuf said. “I enjoy the pace of life, I enjoy the beaches, I spend a lot of time on my boat and I like to fish, plus there’s great golf.

“The main thing that brought me there was family, so that’s always the No. 1 thing when I get back there and I get to see my family … see my grandparents. I just enjoy the island. I love the pace of life, I love the people and it’s been great to me. The reason I love it so much is you go there and you get to recharge. The pace of life really slows down. There’s not too much of a rush out there.”

Phaneuf skates with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Charlottetown Islanders in the final two weeks of August to help him get ready for the NHL season.

“I’m excited to go there with our team just because I know how much it means to P.E.I.,” Phaneuf said. “Spending the summers there and being a part of the community in Prince Edward Island, people are very proud that O’Leary was able to win it.

“I know I went up there this summer for some Kraft Hockeyville celebrations and the town is very, very excited and proud to have brought this game to Prince Edward Island. I know the island is very proud of this game and it’s going to be fun.”

Senators players had a choice to go golfing or fishing Sunday. Many chose to play one final round at a golf club just outside Charlottetown before gathering at Phaneuf’s home for a team dinner.

“We’re at numbers where we’re close to our roster and there’s going to be a good pace to this game,” Phaneuf said. “There’s going to be lots of energy in the building because they don’t see NHL hockey and people are going to be excited. As players, you like playing in buildings like that. You like the excitement of that.

“At this time of training camp, you’ve been going pretty hard for over a week now and I just think this is coming at a really good time. You get a bit of rest, you get to get your mind away from the game. The team bonding is important.”

bgarrioch@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/sungarrioch