Danton Heinen

Danton Heinen (born July 5, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left wing who is currently playing for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Heinen was born on July 5, 1995, in Langley, British Columbia, to parents Rick and Veronica.

His father is of Dutch heritage while his mother immigrated to Canada from Brazil.

Heinen is the middle child of four siblings; his sister Olivia played volleyball in high school while his older brother Cody played hockey.

Growing up in Langley, British Columbia, Heinen played with the Richmond Sockeyes in the Pacific Junior Hockey League and junior hockey in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for the Merritt Centennials and Surrey Eagles.

During the season, he recorded six points in two games to help the Pioneers reach their first Frozen Four since 2005.

As a result, he was named the inaugural recipient of the ASN Player of the Year Award and earned First-Team All-NCHC Honors.

He was also named NCHC Forward of the Year and selected as a finalist for NCHC Player of the Year.

Prior to the conclusion of his sophomore season, Heinen decided to forgo his junior and senior seasons to sign a three-year entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins.

While with the Sockeyes in the 2012–13 season, he recorded 63 points as he led the team to the Pacific Junior Hockey League championship title.

In his only BCHL season, Heinen led the Eagles in scoring with 62 points in 57 games and won the junior A league’s Rookie of the Year Award.

After graduating from Langley Christian High School in 2013, Heinen earned a scholarship to attend and play for the University of Denver.

He was selected by the Bruins in the fourth round, 116th overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Growing up in Langley, British Columbia, Heinen played with the Richmond Sockeyes in the Pacific Junior Hockey League and junior ice hockey in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for the Merritt Centennials and Surrey Eagles.

After graduating from high school, Heinen earned a scholarship to play for the Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team.

During his short collegiate career, Heinen earned NCHC Rookie of the Year in 2014–15 season and NCHC Forward of the Year in 2015–16 season.

Prior to joining the Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team for the 2014–15 season, Heinen was drafted in the fourth round, 116th overall, by the Boston Bruins at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Heinen played for the Denver Pioneers from 2014 to 2016.

In his freshman season with the Pioneers, Heinen scored 45 points, 16 goals, and 29 assists, in 40 games.

During the month of February, Heinen registered 15 points in seven games to win the HCA National Rookie of the Month for February.

In March, Heinen was then named to the Second-Team All-Conference and named a finalist for the NCHC Rookie of the Year award.

Heinen returned to the Pioneers for his sophomore season where he increased his point production with a career-high 48 points.

Upon concluding his collegiate career, Heinen joined the Bruins' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins, to complete the 2015–16 season.

He played in four games with the Bruins, two regular season and two playoff games, where he recorded two assists.

He concluded his amateur career in 2016 by signing an entry-level contract with the Bruins.

Following college, Heinen joined the Boston Bruins' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins.

Prior to the 2016–17 season, Heinen participated in the Bruins training camp before being named to their opening night roster and making his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

His time in the NHL was shortlived as he was re-assigned to the Providence Bruins on November 2, 2016, after playing in seven games.

Heinen recorded seven goals and six assists for 13 points in 13 games before re-joining the Bruins at the NHL level on December 10, 2016.

Following another assignment to the AHL, Heinen was selected for the 2017 AHL All-Star Game and helped the Providence Bruins qualify for the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs.

He helped the team advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Syracuse Crunch by recording 18 points in 17 games.

Following his first full professional season, Heinen was again invited to participate in the Bruins' prospect training and development camp.

However, he was returned to the AHL before opening night of the 2017–18 season.

He played three games with the Providence Bruins, recording three assists, before being recalled on October 26, 2017.

That night, he scored his first two NHL goals in a 2–1 win over the San Jose Sharks.

By December, Heinen was playing alongside Riley Nash and David Backes on a third line head coach Bruce Cassidy described as having a "200-foot game."

He spent his first three seasons moving between the AHL and NHL levels before becoming a mainstay on the Bruins' lineup during the 2018–19 season.

On February 24, 2020, while in his fourth season with the Bruins, Heinen was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Nick Ritchie.

After playing one season with the Ducks, Heinen signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

After his first year in Pittsburgh, he signed another one-year contract with the Penguins.