[1] Phaneuf was coached by Annie Barabé and Sophie Richard in Contrecœur, Quebec from the age of nine until November 2011.

Phaneuf withdrew from the 2005 Skate Canada International due to a minor stress fracture in her right ankle.

[citation needed] In 2007, she earned a spot on the Canadian ladies' world team by finishing fourth in that year's national championships.

In November 2011, Phaneuf left Quebec and longtime coaches Annie Barabé and Sophie Richard to move to Toronto to train with Brian Orser.

At the 2012 Four Continents, the two skaters competed for a berth to the 2012 World Championships – Phaneuf finished 0.18 points behind Lacoste.

Phaneuf met hockey player Maxime Talbot in Montreal, where they shared the same massage therapist, and they began dating in 2012.