Danielle Phalon is Our Whiz Kid of the Week

Stoneham Patch Whiz Kid of the Week

•  Danielle Phalon, 16
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•  Accomplishment: Phalon has tallied 78 goals and 36 assists in her three-year career playing for the Lady Spartan’s varsity hockey team with her senior season still ahead of her. Phalon is also on her way to her third National title game in Detroit, Mich. for the Assabet Valley girls' hockey team out of Concord.

Key to Awesomeness: When residents talk about the Stoneham High School girls' hockey team, it's extremely hard to ignore the sensational player on the roster, Danielle Phalon.

Phalon has helped turn the hockey program around. Making the varsity squad as a freshman, Phalon tallied 12 goals and dished out 11 assists. Her sophomore year, Phalon had a mind-boggling 31 goals and 15 assists, and her junior year adding 35 goals and 10 assists.

Yes, she still has one year of eligibility left. The sky is the limit for this young phenom.

“I contribute my success in hockey to my teammates, coaches, and parents," Phalon said. "I have learned my hockey knowledge and play the way I play today because of my coaches.

“My teammates have always been there to push me to be the best player I can be.  But, mainly I owe it to my parents. They were the ones who brought me to all those 6 a.m. games as a little kid and were at every single game cheering me on in the stands."

Phalon extended her praise for her parents because without them she believes she wouldn't be in this position.

“My parents were the ones who drove the long hours in the car or rushing to catch a plane to get me where I needed to be and I truly thank them for that," Phalon said. "I know that without them I wouldn't be where I am in the game today."

Phalon dedicates her time to hockey year round as well as playing soccer.

“There have been many times I have been doing homework in the car and eating on the run," Phalon said. "For the first six years at Assabet, I was skating five times a week. I usually have something seven-days-a-week from September until April because I play soccer in the fall and hockey for my club team.

“During the spring and summer, I play in a summer league hockey team and play soccer through a team at the high school,” Phalon said.

Phalon has been on skates since she was three-years-old and playing on a team since she was five. 

“I had to originally beg my parents to let me play and they were a little weary on letting me play," Phalon said. "They finally gave in.  I look back now and cannot imagine my life without it.

“I would have never had the chance to go to Toronto, California, Michigan, and all over New England. Nor would I have had the opportunity to say that I’ve won a National Championship."

Phalon is currently in the process of looking at colleges. She fully expects to play in college although she doesn't know where yet.

“I'm anxious to see where I end up," Phalon said. "As long as I am playing it does not matter where I go."