Dany Heatley

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Heatley's professional journey started with the Atlanta Thrashers, where he immediately became an offensive force. In his rookie season of 2001–02, he led all NHL rookies in points (67) and assists (41), finishing second on his team in goals behind Ilya Kovalchuk to win the Calder Memorial Trophy. The following season saw him emerge as a star with 41 goals and 89 points in just 77 games. However, tragedy struck in September 2003 when Heatley was driving a car that crashed, killing teammate Dan Snyder. Heatley survived but was seriously injured, missing the majority of the 2003–04 season until January. He later played for SC Bern during the 2004–05 lockout before an errant puck broke his orbital bone, permanently dilating his left eye's pupil. Seeking to move away from reminders of the crash, he requested a trade in August 2005, moving to the Ottawa Senators in a deal that sent Marián Hossa, Greg de Vries, and a first-round draft pick to Atlanta.

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

To understand Heatley's career, one must focus on his time with the Atlanta Thrashers and Ottawa Senators. He was drafted second overall by Atlanta in 2000, behind Rick DiPietro, after a standout collegiate tenure at the University of Wisconsin where he earned WCHA Rookie of the Year honors. His peak years came in Ottawa, where he formed a dominant line with Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson starting in 2005–06. He set franchise records for goals (50) and points (105) and led his team to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007, though they lost to the Anaheim Ducks in five games. Internationally, Heatley represented Team Canada in six World Championships, two Olympics, one World Cup of Hockey, and two World Junior Championships. In 2008, he surpassed Marcel Dionne for Canada's all-time goal lead and Steve Yzerman for points at the World Championships. His later career included stints with the San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, and finally the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers in Germany during the 2015–16 season.

Did You Know?

• Heatley's left eye pupil became permanently dilated after an errant puck struck his orbital bone during the 2004–05 lockout while he played for SC Bern.
• Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson were not the first two players in NHL history to score in a shootout; Marek Zidlicky scored the first shootout goal earlier that same day on October 5, 2005.
• In the 2006–07 playoffs, Heatley tied with Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson at 22 points each as their line led the NHL in playoff scoring.
• Heatley was named an alternate captain for the Ottawa Senators on October 3, 2008, alongside defenceman Chris Phillips.