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.
They91裸聊视频檒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. They91裸聊视频檒l remember the love that Danton had for hockey as a kid 91裸聊视频� always wanting to go to a practice or a game. They91裸聊视频檒l remember the commitment that powered him through the adversity he faced such as getting cut from rep teams growing up.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 going to be one of those surreal moments where you91裸聊视频檙e asking, 91裸聊视频業s this really happening?91裸聊视频� You always dream about him coming back home to play but you never know. It91裸聊视频檚 going to be good. To be truthful, I91裸聊视频檒l probably have a little tear in my eye,91裸聊视频� said the elder Heinen, who has had season-tickets to the Canucks through the family91裸聊视频檚 company 91裸聊视频� B.C. Greenhouse Builders 91裸聊视频� since 1995.
Besides Rick and Veronica, Danton91裸聊视频檚 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, he91裸聊视频檚 trying to focus on what91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淭hose guys are such good players. They think the game so well and they feed off one another. I91裸聊视频檓 just trying to compliment them, listen to them and have some fun,91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淓veryone has been great and made me feel comfortable. On the ice, I think it91裸聊视频檚 just a few things systems-wise and that just comes with reps but for the most part it has been pretty seamless,91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 got some hockey IQ and he91裸聊视频檚 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 there91裸聊视频檚 another level there and he wants it. He91裸聊视频檚 getting a chance with Millsy and Bess where he can score some goals and I see it there,91裸聊视频� said Tocchet.
Heinen is excited about playing for Tocchet.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 been great. He91裸聊视频檚 a coach that you want to do well for. He91裸聊视频檚 a natural motivator, he91裸聊视频檚 approachable and easy to talk to. He treats everyone well,91裸聊视频� said Heinen.
As for the Sedins, Heinen admits he91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檙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 it91裸聊视频檚 great having them around,91裸聊视频� noted Heinen, who played for the BCHL91裸聊视频檚 Surrey Eagles before earning a scholarship to the University of Denver.
And as for that Canucks debut on Wednesday versus the Flames?
91裸聊视频淚t will be pretty cool. As a kid, the NHL to me was the Canucks and going to games. I91裸聊视频檓 sure it is going to be a fun night,91裸聊视频� 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 Danton91裸聊视频檚 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 Poolman91裸聊视频檚 salary. The deal gets rid of the salary cap anchor that Poolman91裸聊视频檚 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 it91裸聊视频檚 still a work in progress. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 reps and practicing at the high pace that we do and then implementing that in a game. We91裸聊视频檝e given them some more concepts like more 91裸聊视频楧91裸聊视频� dives and activating the 91裸聊视频楧91裸聊视频� on the weakside. It91裸聊视频檚 mainly 91裸聊视频榳hen do I go?91裸聊视频� and 91裸聊视频榳hen don91裸聊视频檛 I?91裸聊视频� and that91裸聊视频檚 just getting the reps,91裸聊视频� 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 91裸聊视频渢he Moj91裸聊视频� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media.
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