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香蕉视频直播檒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. They香蕉视频直播檒l remember the love that Danton had for hockey as a kid 香蕉视频直播� always wanting to go to a practice or a game. They香蕉视频直播檒l remember the commitment that powered him through the adversity he faced such as getting cut from rep teams growing up.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 going to be one of those surreal moments where you香蕉视频直播檙e asking, 香蕉视频直播業s this really happening?香蕉视频直播� You always dream about him coming back home to play but you never know. It香蕉视频直播檚 going to be good. To be truthful, I香蕉视频直播檒l probably have a little tear in my eye,香蕉视频直播� said the elder Heinen, who has had season-tickets to the Canucks through the family香蕉视频直播檚 company 香蕉视频直播� B.C. Greenhouse Builders 香蕉视频直播� since 1995.
Besides Rick and Veronica, Danton香蕉视频直播檚 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, he香蕉视频直播檚 trying to focus on what香蕉视频直播檚 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.
香蕉视频直播淭hose guys are such good players. They think the game so well and they feed off one another. I香蕉视频直播檓 just trying to compliment them, listen to them and have some fun,香蕉视频直播� 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.
香蕉视频直播淓veryone has been great and made me feel comfortable. On the ice, I think it香蕉视频直播檚 just a few things systems-wise and that just comes with reps but for the most part it has been pretty seamless,香蕉视频直播� 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.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 got some hockey IQ and he香蕉视频直播檚 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 there香蕉视频直播檚 another level there and he wants it. He香蕉视频直播檚 getting a chance with Millsy and Bess where he can score some goals and I see it there,香蕉视频直播� said Tocchet.
Heinen is excited about playing for Tocchet.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 been great. He香蕉视频直播檚 a coach that you want to do well for. He香蕉视频直播檚 a natural motivator, he香蕉视频直播檚 approachable and easy to talk to. He treats everyone well,香蕉视频直播� said Heinen.
As for the Sedins, Heinen admits he香蕉视频直播檚 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.
香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檙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 it香蕉视频直播檚 great having them around,香蕉视频直播� noted Heinen, who played for the BCHL香蕉视频直播檚 Surrey Eagles before earning a scholarship to the University of Denver.
And as for that Canucks debut on Wednesday versus the Flames?
香蕉视频直播淚t will be pretty cool. As a kid, the NHL to me was the Canucks and going to games. I香蕉视频直播檓 sure it is going to be a fun night,香蕉视频直播� 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香蕉视频直播檚 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 Poolman香蕉视频直播檚 salary. The deal gets rid of the salary cap anchor that Poolman香蕉视频直播檚 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 it香蕉视频直播檚 still a work in progress. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 reps and practicing at the high pace that we do and then implementing that in a game. We香蕉视频直播檝e given them some more concepts like more 香蕉视频直播楧香蕉视频直播� dives and activating the 香蕉视频直播楧香蕉视频直播� on the weakside. It香蕉视频直播檚 mainly 香蕉视频直播榳hen do I go?香蕉视频直播� and 香蕉视频直播榳hen don香蕉视频直播檛 I?香蕉视频直播� and that香蕉视频直播檚 just getting the reps,香蕉视频直播� 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 香蕉视频直播渢he Moj香蕉视频直播� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media.
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