Former NHL superstar returns to the NHL after a 7-year absence, albeit with a new job title
Dany Heatley last played in the NHL during the 2014-2015 season with Anaheim, only skating in 6 games before playing briefly in the AHL and officially retiring from professional hockey following his 2015-16 season in Germany. He has remained out of the spotlight since. Now, however, Heatley is ready to return to the NHL. Obviously not as a player, but the 42-year-old will be joining the Flyers as a professional scout.
Heatley was one of the league's most prolific goal-scorers in the early years of his career, at one point recording back-to-back 50-goal seasons while still a member of the Ottawa Senators. Heatley scored less than 25 goals just once in his first 9 seasons and had more than 30 in 6 of those seasons.
Heatley began his career in Atlanta before a tragic accident involving the death of a teammate ultimately led him to Ottawa. It was in Ottawa where Heatley really began to establish a name for himself, scoring 180 goals in 4 seasons and had back-to-back 100+ point seasons. Heatley would then go on to play in San Jose and Minnesota before a final, short stint with Anaheim before exiting the NHL.
Heatley was a prominent force for Team Canada internationally as well, winning 2 gold medals at the World Championships, a World Cup of Hockey, and 2010 Olympics. He also won Calder Trophy in 2002 as the NHL's top rookie, was a four-time all-star and was even named the cover athlete of EA Sports' 2004 NHL game.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
POLL |
SEPTEMBRE 7 | 95 ANSWERS Former NHL superstar returns to the NHL after a 7-year absence, albeit with a new job title Were you a Dany Heatley fan during his playing days? |
Yes | 48 | 50.5 % |
No | 47 | 49.5 % |
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