As a youngster playing minor hockey in Langley, Danton Heinen dreamed of playing for the Vancouver Canucks one day.
He grew up going to Canuck games and idolized the likes of Markus Naslund, and later on, Daniel and Henrik Sedin.
Wednesday night that dream becomes reality when Heinen suits up to make his Canucks debut against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena in the regular season opener for both teams.
It will be a special night not only for Heinen but for his family as well.
For Rick and Veronica Heinen, it will be an emotional moment when their son steps out onto the ice wearing jersey #20 for the Canucks.
They’ll probably remember the time a young six-year-old Danton had to choose between soccer and hockey and picked the latter in about .05 milliseconds. They’ll remember the love that Danton had for hockey as a kid – always wanting to go to a practice or a game. They’ll remember the commitment that powered him through the adversity he faced such as getting cut from rep teams growing up.
“It’s going to be one of those surreal moments where you’re asking, ‘Is this really happening?’ You always dream about him coming back home to play but you never know. It’s going to be good. To be truthful, I’ll probably have a little tear in my eye,” said the elder Heinen, who has had season-tickets to the Canucks through the family’s company — B.C. Greenhouse Builders — since 1995.
Besides Rick and Veronica, Danton’s siblings will also be in attendance as brother Cody and sisters Jessica and Olivia will be there along with about 10 other family members. In addition, a circle of over 30 friends is expected to take in the game as well.
As for Danton, he’s trying to focus on what’s happening on the ice, not off it.
Heinen will start the season on a line with J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser and is excited about the opportunity.
“Those guys are such good players. They think the game so well and they feed off one another. I’m just trying to compliment them, listen to them and have some fun,” Heinen said.
After seven seasons in the NHL with Boston, Anaheim and Pittsburgh, the transition to becoming a Canuck has been a smooth one for the 29-year-old Heinen.
“Everyone has been great and made me feel comfortable. On the ice, I think it’s just a few things systems-wise and that just comes with reps but for the most part it has been pretty seamless,” said Heinen, who adds that the pre-season was a big help in learning a new system.
Canucks Coach Rick Tocchet is excited about the addition of Heinen to the lineup.
“He’s got some hockey IQ and he’s a very smooth type of player. He can play up and down the lineup, but saying that, I think he can be pushed to another level. I think there’s another level there and he wants it. He’s getting a chance with Millsy and Bess where he can score some goals and I see it there,” said Tocchet.
Heinen is excited about playing for Tocchet.
“He’s been great. He’s a coach that you want to do well for. He’s a natural motivator, he’s approachable and easy to talk to. He treats everyone well,” said Heinen.
As for the Sedins, Heinen admits he’s still getting used to being on the ice with Daniel and Henrik during practice but has had very positive interactions with the Hall of Famers thus far.
“They’re such great guys and you learn so much from them. They spend time with you and are willing to teach you things. They are awesome. And it’s great having them around,” noted Heinen, who played for the BCHL’s Surrey Eagles before earning a scholarship to the University of Denver.
And as for that Canucks debut on Wednesday versus the Flames?
“It will be pretty cool. As a kid, the NHL to me was the Canucks and going to games. I’m sure it is going to be a fun night,” said Heinen.
And for Rick Heinen, it will be mission accomplished.
Rick had met Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin on a couple of occasions during Danton’s time in Pittsburgh when Allvin was with the Penguins organization. When Allvin joined the Canucks, the pair renewed acquaintances at some charity events with Rick joking that it would be nice to bring Danton home someday.
Wednesday night at Rogers Arena, he does.
It should make for a great night for the Heinen clan.
OVERTIME
* It was a busy weekend for Allvin, who made a couple of moves. The hockey club announced that they agreed to terms with forward Nils Hoglander on a three-year contract extension with an annual average salary of $3 million. The Canucks also made a trade, sending injured defenseman Tucker Poolman and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Erik Brannstrom with Vancouver retaining 20% of Poolman’s salary. The deal gets rid of the salary cap anchor that Poolman’s contract had become and gives the club more flexibility with roster decisions. Complicating matters for Vancouver is that forwards Conor Garland and Pius Suter are not 100% healthy heading into the season.
* Tocchet has come into this season hoping to have his defensemen generate more offense off of transition but says it’s still a work in progress. “It’s reps and practicing at the high pace that we do and then implementing that in a game. We’ve given them some more concepts like more ‘D’ dives and activating the ‘D’ on the weakside. It’s mainly ‘when do I go?’ and ‘when don’t I?’ and that’s just getting the reps,” explained Tocchet, who also added the score in the game would dictate what choices his D-men would make.
Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob “the Moj” Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media.
READ MORE: Vancouver Canucks acquire defenceman Brannstrom from Avalanche
READ MORE: THE MOJ: Lions defence comes up big, ugly offence knows it has to be better
