June 28, 2014
PHILADELPHIA - Incoming University of Denver men's ice hockey freshman forward Danton Heinen (Langley, British Columbia) was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 2014 NHL Draft, held at the Wells Fargo Center, on Saturday.
Selected 116th overall in the fourth round, Heinen is the highest-drafted Pioneer skater since senior defenseman Josiah Didier (Littleton, Colo.) was selected 97th overall in 2011.
"I'm super excited, and it's definitely an honor to be drafted; I couldn't be happier," Heinen said after the draft. "I don't think it will play a role at all [next year at DU]. If you're good enough, you're going to play, and if you're not doing well, it's the opposite."
The 18-year-old draftee was unranked among North American skaters on the Central Scouting list following a season which saw him play for the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). In the 2013-14 season, Heinen was named the youngest captain in the league and brought home Rookie of the Year honors.
"It's a really good league, has lots of exposure," Heinen said of the BCHL. "I think it was good [to be captain] for me last year to get a bit of a leadership role. Next year, I just want to learn from some of the other guys, learn as much as I can."
Heinen, a 6-foot, 161-pound forward, tallied 61 points (29 goals, 32 assists) in 57 games with the Eagles last season while notching just eight penalty minutes. In 2012-13, he totaled 51 points (21 goals, 30 assists) and four penalty minutes while playing a combined 45 games for the BCHL's Merritt Centennials and the Pacific Junior Ice Hockey League's Richmond Sockeyes.
DU head coach Jim Montgomery was quick to praise Heinen's accomplishment.
"I'm really happy for Danton -- to realize his dream and be selected by a great organization like the Boston Bruins is great," Montgomery said. "I'm looking forward to helping Danton develop as a student-athlete over the next several seasons. We'll need him to come in and help in any way, shape or form that he can.
"His leadership skills are great, and hopefully that is something he can build upon. But right now, we just want him to focus on doing his best."
DU has seven NHL draft picks on its 2014-15 roster after reaching a program-best 13 in 2009-10. The Pioneers had six draft picks on the roster in 2013-14 and seven on its roster in 2012-13.
This marks the 13th straight year (dating back to 2002) that Denver has had at least one player selected in the NHL Entry Draft -- a total of 36 DU players have been drafted in that span.
Fans can visit www.NHL.com for complete draft coverage.
Denver hockey season tickets for the 2014-15 season are currently on sale. Ticket packages begin at $198. Individual game tickets start at $19 and go on sale in early September. For more information, please call 303-871-2336 or visit www.DenverPioneers.com/tickets for more information.
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 17 of DU's NCAA Division I sports.
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