Dany Heatley Shares Memories Of His Days In Ottawa

Steve Warne

Nov 16, 2024, 02:09

Steve Warne

Nov 16, 2024, 02:09

Heatley remains the only 50-goal scorer in Sens history and says he still has great memories of his days in Ottawa and the team they had here.

Sep 18, 2005; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Dany Heatley (15) on the ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK - Dany Heatley Shares Memories Of His Days In Ottawa

Dany Heatley was an Ottawa Senator for only four seasons, but it was long enough to establish himself as the greatest goal scorer in club history. Heatley arrived in Ottawa twenty years ago after the canceled 2004–05 season and scored 50 goals in each of his first two years here. He followed that up with seasons of 41 and 39 goals before being traded to the San Jose Sharks.

Heatley set Ottawa franchise records for goals in a season (50) in 2005–06, and points (105) in 2006–07. Both records still stand today. He represented Canada in six World Championships, two Olympics, and one World Cup of Hockey, along with two World Juniors.

His career hit difficult moments in Atlanta after being in a car accident that claimed the life of Thrashers teammate, Dan Snyder. Heatley also left Ottawa under heavy criticism because he had asked for a trade. He felt he had taken on a diminished role under head coach Cory Clouston, who lasted three years in Ottawa then never worked in the league again.

Heatley then vetoed a trade to Edmonton, reportedly for Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Ladislav Smid. GM Bryan Murray finally sent him to San Jose for Milan Michálek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a swap of draft picks.

Heatley is now a decade removed from his last NHL game, and you'd be excused if you forgot that it came with Anaheim, where he played just six games for the Ducks, the very team that Cup-blocked the Sens in 2007.

He rarely seems to do interviews but emerged this week as a guest on the Missin' Curfew podcast, which you can listen to here. The conversation looked back on his career and some fun memories of his time in Ottawa, where he was glad to play in front of a passionate hockey city.

"Yeah, it was fun. I enjoyed it," Heatley said. "Especially coming from Atlanta. That Southeast Division, you're not really playing in front of packed houses, and to be in Canada and the capital, it was fun. We came in with Spez, Gratts, and Rayzor (Jason Spezza, Brian McGrattan, and Ray Emery). They had spent their time in Bingo the year before in the lockout. So we kind of all came in together. I came in, obviously, by trade, but we had a good young group and an exciting team, and those were great years."

Playing with Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson was a memorable time for Heatley, who says he loved how he was able to come to the rink knowing he was going to get four or five excellent scoring chances every single night.

One of his favorite memories of Spezza was how fussy he was with his wooden sticks. Heatley went through a lot of sticks but says it was nothing compared to Spezza, who had ten times as many and threw half of them away right away.

"He'd cut four or five every game. And then he'd mark them 'Tampa number one,' 'Tampa five.' Then he'd go through the game, and a month later, he'd be on the bench telling Scotty Allegrino, our trainer, 'Scotty, get me the middle of the pack Tampa number two.' And Scotty would get it. Like, (Spezz) would remember the curve that he made there was a little different. That was pretty crazy."

After Spezza, the ex-Sens teammate Heatley talked about the most was former enforcer Brian McGrattan, telling tales about how tough he was.

"He was intimidating, definitely," Heatley said. "But it's funny, you know, you'd see him off the ice, he's a big sweetheart. What a sweetheart."

Heatley says the 2007 Stanley Cup run is still one of the bigger regrets for the guys from that team, but he'll always remember the amazing support of the fans, many of whom came out to greet them at the airport.

Now 43, Heatley says he hasn't been back to Ottawa in years but will be coming back next month for "something," though he didn't say if it was personal or team-related. He also says he enjoyed living in the Byward Market in his final season and is excited that the new rink will be closer to downtown.

All in all, there are still some things he misses about life in the NHL and some things he, quite clearly, does not.

"I always joke with my buddies that one perfect day would be flying into a city, having a nice dinner with the boys. Wake up, a little pregame skate. Go down to the hotel for a little pregame meal, a three-hour nap, take warm-up, and then right to the press box.

"Just a no-bucket warmy, then right to the press box!"

Dany Heatley Shares Memories Of His Days In Ottawa