Dandenault was originally drafted as a right wing, but was converted into a defenceman during the 2001–02 season. After nine seasons with the Red Wings, who drafted him forty-ninth overall in the second round of the 1994 amateur draft, he played for HC Asiago in Italy in 2004–05 (due to the lockout) and upon his return to North America, he signed a 4-year contract with the Canadiens, his hometown team.