Although Danton Heinen played just one (1) season for the Valley West Hawks, he certainly left an impression on the program. Despite flying under the radar and being undrafted by a Western Hockey League (WHL) team, Heinen managed to make a name for himself in the hockey world due to hard work and determination.

 

“Danton came to us after playing Midget A2 as a 15 year old player. We worked with him to harness his natural talent into elite level systems and tactics,” says Hawks Head Coach Jessie Leung.

 

In his only season with Valley West, Heinen scored 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists) in 37 games. Says Leung, “Danton was a 16 year old rookie forward for our team. He stepped onto our top line and fit prominently into our offensive production. Danton was a great teammate. He was always team-first in actions and attitude and was a positive role model to his teammates and to younger players.”

 

After a successful season with the Hawks, Heinen moved onto the Richmond Sockeyes of the Pacific Junior Hockey League, scoring 49 points (21 goals, 28 assists) in 43 games in the 2012-2013 season. He also began to play in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) as an affiliate, playing a handful of games with the Merritt Centennials.

 

These affiliate appearances put him on the radar of the Surrey Eagles, and he joined the team full-time in 2013-2014. Heinen increased his point totals yet again, tallying 61 points (29 goals, 32 assists) in 57 games for the BCHL squad. He also showed off his leadership abilities, and was the youngest player in the league to wear a “C” on his sweater. He won Rookie of the Year and Most Sportsmanlike Player, and after just one (1) season in the league, he attracted scholarship offers from the United States, as well as attention from National Hockey League (NHL) scouts. In the 2014 NHL Draft, the Boston Bruins selected Heinen with the 116^th overall pick.

 

Heinen attended Bruins prospect camp and then landed at the University of Denver, one of the most successful teams in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history. The Pioneers have won seven (7) national championships, 23 conference championships, and have sent more than 60 players to the NHL.

 

Heinen proved himself against the tough competition of the NCAA, earning conference Rookie of the Year honours after winning the overall scoring title with 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in 40 games. He has returned to the U. of Denver Pioneers for a second season, and currently has ten (10) points in 12 games.

 

Says Leung, “Danton’s story is one I point to every training camp. He was a late-blooming player that stuck with his development plan which has led to NCAA conference all-star honours as a rookie, and the Boston Bruins of the NHL.”

 

The BC Hockey Major Midget League was established in 2004 to provide elite level 15, 16 and 17 year olds an opportunity to play within their own age group at a high level and be developed for the next level of hockey. These teams have an opportunity each year to compete for the National Midget Championship.

 

For more information about the BC Hockey Major Midget League, please visit the League website at www.bcmml.net, follow along on social media at twitter.com/bchockey_mml, or email us at midgethockey@bchockey.net