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.
TheyB次元官网网址檒l 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. TheyB次元官网网址檒l remember the love that Danton had for hockey as a kid B次元官网网址� always wanting to go to a practice or a game. TheyB次元官网网址檒l remember the commitment that powered him through the adversity he faced such as getting cut from rep teams growing up.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be one of those surreal moments where youB次元官网网址檙e asking, B次元官网网址業s this really happening?B次元官网网址� You always dream about him coming back home to play but you never know. ItB次元官网网址檚 going to be good. To be truthful, IB次元官网网址檒l probably have a little tear in my eye,B次元官网网址� said the elder Heinen, who has had season-tickets to the Canucks through the familyB次元官网网址檚 company B次元官网网址� B.C. Greenhouse Builders B次元官网网址� since 1995.
Besides Rick and Veronica, DantonB次元官网网址檚 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, heB次元官网网址檚 trying to focus on whatB次元官网网址檚 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.
B次元官网网址淭hose guys are such good players. They think the game so well and they feed off one another. IB次元官网网址檓 just trying to compliment them, listen to them and have some fun,B次元官网网址� 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.
B次元官网网址淓veryone has been great and made me feel comfortable. On the ice, I think itB次元官网网址檚 just a few things systems-wise and that just comes with reps but for the most part it has been pretty seamless,B次元官网网址� 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.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 got some hockey IQ and heB次元官网网址檚 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 thereB次元官网网址檚 another level there and he wants it. HeB次元官网网址檚 getting a chance with Millsy and Bess where he can score some goals and I see it there,B次元官网网址� said Tocchet.
Heinen is excited about playing for Tocchet.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 been great. HeB次元官网网址檚 a coach that you want to do well for. HeB次元官网网址檚 a natural motivator, heB次元官网网址檚 approachable and easy to talk to. He treats everyone well,B次元官网网址� said Heinen.
As for the Sedins, Heinen admits heB次元官网网址檚 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.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e 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 itB次元官网网址檚 great having them around,B次元官网网址� noted Heinen, who played for the BCHLB次元官网网址檚 Surrey Eagles before earning a scholarship to the University of Denver.
And as for that Canucks debut on Wednesday versus the Flames?
B次元官网网址淚t will be pretty cool. As a kid, the NHL to me was the Canucks and going to games. IB次元官网网址檓 sure it is going to be a fun night,B次元官网网址� 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 DantonB次元官网网址檚 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 PoolmanB次元官网网址檚 salary. The deal gets rid of the salary cap anchor that PoolmanB次元官网网址檚 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 itB次元官网网址檚 still a work in progress. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 reps and practicing at the high pace that we do and then implementing that in a game. WeB次元官网网址檝e given them some more concepts like more B次元官网网址楧B次元官网网址� dives and activating the B次元官网网址楧B次元官网网址� on the weakside. ItB次元官网网址檚 mainly B次元官网网址榳hen do I go?B次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址榳hen donB次元官网网址檛 I?B次元官网网址� and thatB次元官网网址檚 just getting the reps,B次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址渢he MojB次元官网网址� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media.
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