SAN JOSE
– Dany Heatley, the four-team NHL All-Star and twice a 50-goal
scorer, was obtained by the San Jose Sharks Saturday in a
three-player trade with the Ottawa Senators.
SAN JOSE – Dany Heatley, the four-team NHL All-Star and twice a 50-goal scorer, was obtained by the San Jose Sharks Saturday in a three-player trade with the Ottawa Senators.
The Senators shipped Heatley along with a fifth round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for wingers Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek along with San Jose’s second-round selection in the 2010 Draft.
The Sharks began on-ice practice Sunday and open a seven-game pre-season schedule Friday at home to the Vancouver Canucks.
“I’m excited to be going to San Jose,” said Heatley. “It’s a great team, a great city.”
Heatley, a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder, was ninth in the NHL last season with 39 goals while playing in all 82 games for the Senators. The 28-year-old led his team with 15 power play goals and six game-winning goals.
“He’s a talented guy and a potential 50-goal scorer,” said Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov of his new teammate. “He can fit in right away.”
A veteran of 507 NHL games after playing two years at the University of Wisconsin, Heatley has 543 points, including 99 power play goals. Heatley was the second over-all selection in the 2000 Entry Draft, tabbed by Atlanta. Ottawa traded for Heatley in 2005 in exchange for Marian Hossa and Greg DeVries.
After winning the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2002, Heatley was named to the NHL’s first-team All-Star squad in 2007. Heatley played in the Stanley Cup Finals for the Senators.
“I’m very pleased to have Dany be part of this hockey team,” said Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson.
“We let two very good players go, but you have to give to get. A player of this caliber can only make you better.”
Cheechoo, recipient of the 2006 Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Award as the NHL’s top goal scorer (56), was the 29th overall selection in the 1998 Entry Draft by San Jose. Fifth all-time in points for the Sharks franchise, Cheechoo garnered 291 points, including 62 power play goals, in his San Jose career.
Michalek, the sixth overall selection in the 2003 Entry Draft by the Sharks, finished with 214 points in 317 games for San Jose. Michalek garnered 23 points and 34 assists in 77 games last season.
