Wild prospect Riley Heidt continues red-hot start, named WHL Player of the Month

Minnesota Wild prospect Riley Heidt continues to build on his red-hot start this season with 22 goals and 70 points (a 132-point pace) with a +19 rating through 35 games with the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars.

“I know the type of player I am,” Heidt told The Hockey News during a one-on-one interview at development camp in July after he sat in his seat longer than expected at the NHL draft this past summer. “I know what I’m capable of.”

Well, Heidt is having an attention grabbing season thus far to say the least.

Heidt scored seven goals and 24 points in 11 games last month — which earned the 5-foot-11 versatile center WHL Player of the Month for December. The 18-year-old has been an offensive dynamo for the Cougars and found the scoresheet in nine out of 11 contests in December. 

Heidt, who the Wild drafted in the second round last June, has taken his game to another level this year after a successful 25-goal, 97-point sophomore season, where he made significant strides. “I’m super excited to kind of try to build my game up,” Heidt said, “and get better at all the things I need to.”

There’s no doubt he’s grown his game so far this season.

Heidt is a major reason why the Cougars sit No. 1 in the Western Conference with a 27-10 record. Heidt, whose 22 goals ranks third on the Cougars, leads his team in assists (48), points (70) and success in the faceoff circle at 55.3%.

Heidt’s 70 points also leads the entire WHL, and his 48 assists ranks second behind the Saskatoon Blades’ Trevor Wong. Heidt is also only three goals shy of matching his goal total from last year.

“I think my shot’s pretty underrated, too,” Heidt said. “I don’t use it quite enough.”

Well, he has utilized his release more this season with 104 shots through 35 games after recording 170 shots in 68 games a year ago. His 2.97 shot-per-game rate is up from 2.5 last season.

Yet, despite all of his success, Heidt found himself left off Canada’s World Junior selection camp roster in early December.

He responded with his best month yet.