Dany Heatley
German-born Canadian former professional ice hockey winger
Daniel James Heatley (born January 21, 1981) is a German-born Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL entry draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the National Hockey League (NHL) rookie of the year in 2002. Heatley later played for the Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild and the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL, and last played with the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga in 2015–16.
- Draft Position
- 2nd Overall (2000)
- Position
- Left Wing
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Heatley's time with the Thrashers was derailed when he was at the wheel in a car crash in September 2003 that killed teammate Dan Snyder. Heatley, who was also seriously injured but eventually made a full recovery, pled guilty to second-degree vehicular homicide and received probation. Traded to the Ottawa Senators, Heatley became one of the team's leading scorers, setting franchise records for single-season goals (50) in 2005–06, and points (105) in 2006–07. He played on the left wing with linemates Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson. The line was consistently among the highest scoring in the NHL after its formation in 2005–06, with the trio combining for 296 points that season.
In Their Own Story
In his first game for the Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2005, Heatley played with Jason Spezza and Brandon Bochenski. When the team trailed late, Daniel Alfredsson replaced Bochenski to score the tying goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs. As this was the NHL's first year of shootouts, Heatley became only the second player ever to score in one, netting his goal after Alfredsson against goalie Ed Belfour; their sticks are now displayed in the Hockey Hall of Fame. That same month, on October 29, he scored four consecutive goals in an 8–0 victory over Toronto, a career high for goals in a single game. Heatley went on to set franchise records for single-season goals (50) in 2005–06 and points (105) in 2006–07. Playing on the left wing with Spezza and Alfredsson, the trio combined for 296 points in 2005–06, consistently ranking among the NHL's highest-scoring lines.
Reader's Guide
Heatley represented Team Canada in six World Championships, two Olympics, and one World Cup of Hockey, as well as two World Junior Championships. In 2008, he surpassed Marcel Dionne as Canada's all-time leader in goals and Steve Yzerman as the all-time leader in points for the World Championships.
Did You Know?
- Heatley was born in Freiburg, Germany, where his father played professional hockey.
- He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in 2002.
- Heatley set Ottawa Senators franchise records for single-season goals (50) and points (105).
- He was at the wheel in a car crash in September 2003 that killed teammate Dan Snyder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dany Heatley?
He is a former professional ice hockey winger who played for the Minnesota Wild during his later career years. Originally drafted second overall by the Atlanta Thrashers, he became known as one of the league's most skilled scorers before joining the Wild in 2013.
What position did Dany Heatley play?
Heatley played primarily as a left wing throughout his professional tenure. His speed and shooting ability made him a dangerous offensive threat on that side of the ice for Minnesota and other teams.
Did Dany Heatley win any awards early in his career?
Yes, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year during the 2001-2002 season with Atlanta. This accolade highlighted his immediate impact on professional hockey before his time in Minnesota.
What major incident affected Dany Heatley's early career?
In September 2003, he was involved in a tragic car crash that killed his teammate Dan Snyder and left him seriously injured. After recovering from the accident and serving probation for vehicular homicide, he returned to play hockey.
When did Dany Heatley join the Minnesota Wild?
He signed with the Minnesota Wild as a free agent in 2013 after spending several seasons with the Ottawa Senators. His tenure in Minnesota lasted until his retirement from professional play in 2016.
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