It's been a year since Dion Phaneuf crossed lines in the Battle of Ontario.

On Feb. 8, 2016, exactly 12 months ago, Phaneuf was the centrepiece in a rare trade between the Maple Leafs and the Senators that saw the former Toronto captain moved here in a nine-player deal that included longtime Ottawa winger Milan Michalek.

The decision caught the hockey world by surprise but as far as Phaneuf is concerned it couldn’t have worked out better.

“I wish you were asking me that question after a better game but to be honest with you I’ve really enjoyed my time,” said Phaneuf Wednesday.

“I like the city, the people have been incredible and we’ve got great fans, great support and it’s been nothing but positive for me.

“The group has been, right from day one, they’ve really accepted me, made me feel at home and I’m really happy to be here and be part of this team.”

Being dealt to a team that was a bitter rival could have been awkward for Phaneuf but he’s been welcomed with open arms.

He had his differences on the ice with winger Chris Neil prior, however, when Phaneuf met up with the team in Detroit, the two had breakfast on his first full day with the Senators.

“We definitely had our battles over the years but right from day one he’s been great with me ­— as have all the guys,” Phaneuf said.

“They’ve really welcomed me and made me feel part of this group right away. That was easy transition for me. This city has welcomed me so it’s been a lot of positives.

“I’m really happy with being part of this team.”

The Senators are happy to have him.

“He’s a great guy in the locker room. You always need vocal leaders no matter what business you’re in,” said defenceman Mark Borowiecki.

“I think he’s really made a huge impact for us in that regard.

“Experience is so important in this league. It gets overlooked sometimes but having guys like (Phaneuf) and (Chris Kelly) in there has been big for us, especially the younger players.”

Borowiecki grew up in Ottawa and admitted surprise at seeing Phaneuf get dealt to the Senators at the time.

“I know when he got traded here I said to Clarke (MacArthur), ‘Are we going to have set up a cage in that room and sort it out?’ Clarkie passed on that he was great guy and had nothing but good things to say. He was clearly right. It’s been a great addition for us,” Borowiecki said.

Phaneuf, who has been a mentor for blueliner Cody Ceci, said the trade has given him a chance to have a fresh start.

“Change happens in pro sport and I enjoyed my time in Calgary and I enjoyed my time in Toronto and I learned a lot in both places,” said Phaneuf, who has bought a home in Ottawa.

“I think it did re-energize me. It’s an exciting group to be a part of.

“We’ve got some young players, you look at (Erik Karlsson), he’s one of the top (defencemen) in the league if not the top (defenceman) in the league and I think we’ve got guys up front that don’t get enough credit. You look at Mark Stone, he’s a really good player that you don’t hear a lot about. (Mike Hoffman) can score goals. We’ve got a lot of guys you don’t hear a lot about but it’s been great be part of it.”

HAVLAT HANGS 'EM UP

Mach 9 has taken flight for the last time

Former Senators winger Martin Havlat, who played parts of 14 seasons in the NHL after being drafted by the club No. 26 overall in the first round in 1999, announced his retirement Wednesday morning.

“That was fast. I feel like I was just getting started in the NHL a short while ago. I would love to continue playing but my body will not allow me to play at the level I expect from myself. As a result, I am announcing my retirement,” Havlat said in a statement.

Havlat, 35, was trying to come back from a groin injury but decided the time had come to say goodbye to the game.

“I know when you retire people ask you about your favourite moment or memory, but for me, it’s tough to pick one. There are so many things I’m grateful for. It was a great run. Sure I had my ups and downs, but I loved the game and enjoyed too many positive things to pick one,” Havlat wrote in a letter on the NHLPA’s website.

“Hockey is a team sport and you can’t do everything on your own. You need to work with your teammates ­— your friends — to be successful. You learn you’re never alone ... I know I will miss that, but it’s time to start a new chapter.”

Drafted No. 26 overall by the Senators, Havlat remembered his Ottawa years fondly. Havlat made stops with Chicago, Minnesota, San Jose, New Jersey and St. Louis during his career.

THE LAST WORDS

The Senators haven’t had a whole lot to write home about in games against the Dallas Stars in Ottawa. The Senators will be looking for their second victory at the Canadian Tire Centre against Dallas since Feb. 27, 2003.

The Stars have won four straight in Ottawa coming into this one and the Senators last win in Ottawa vs. Dallas was on Dec. 20, 2008.