PROVIDENCE, R.I. — University of Denver freshman Danton Heinen is a Boston Bruins draft pick who might begin an NHL career here at the Dunkin Donuts Center, home of the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. At the pace he’s going — he leads the Pioneers in scoring at age 19 — Heinen might go straight from college to the NHL.
“That would be best-case scenario,” Heinen said Friday after DU’s practice in preparation for Saturday’s NCAA Tournament East Regional opener against Boston College. “But I’m trying not to think about anything other than this weekend.”
Heinen, from Langley, British Columbia, is third in NCAA rookie scoring with 45 points, and tied for second in goals with 16. Only Boston University phenom Jack Eichel — the likely No. 2 pick in the upcoming NHL draft — has more goals (24) at such a young age.
Eichel leads the country in scoring with 66 points. Among rookies, Michigan’s Dylan Larkin (47) and Heinen are second and third in scoring behind Eichel. Larkin was a 2014 first-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings.
Unlike Eichel (6-foot-2, 193 pounds) and Larkin (6-0, 190), the 6-0 Heinen needs to add to his 161 pounds before turning pro. Which is the primary reason he’s expected to return to DU for his sophomore season.
Heinen will be watched closely Saturday — and Sunday, assuming third-seeded DU advances to the regional championship against No. 1 Miami (Ohio) or No. 4 Providence — by Bruins scouts and Boston-area media.
“I don’t know if it adds pressure. I don’t think so,” the soft-spoken Heinen said. “I guess I’ll try not to think about it and just play my game and focus on the team. I didn’t think I’d get drafted, but coming to DU was a good opportunity. I didn’t expect this.”
Practice update
Despite being an American Hockey League arena, the Dunkin Donuts center has poor lighting. Coupled with the black seats and narrow corners, Heinen and others said they’ll have to get used to the odd rink.
“It’s dark. Seats are black and the corners are dark,” Heinen said. “The ice wasn’t the best, but I’m sure they’ll have it ready (Saturday).”
DU senior center Daniel Doremus said a small crowd will make it more difficult to track pucks in the air.
“I think the dark seats have a lot to do with the lighting. Definitely harder to track pucks if we don’t have a lot of fans,” Doremus said.
Senior defenseman Joey LaLeggia took the politically correct route.
” I think it’s a great venue,” he said. “I think it’s awesome to have this tournament in pro rink and have the opportunity to play in an American Hockey League rink where a lot of us aspire to be in the future. I think we’d all like to thank the Dunkin Donuts Center for having us.”
Footnotes
DU coach Jim Montgomery confirmed freshman Tanner Jaillet will start in goal against BC. Jaillet is 21 and older that sophomore Evan Cowley. … DU senior wing Larkin Jacobson will play Saturday with stitches in his left wrist and a large slice from his hand. He was cut by a skate blade in last last Saturday’s 5-1 victolry over North Dakota in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference consolation game, but has managed to complete three practices. … Senior wing Ty Loney took a shot off his right ear in practice Friday. The wound was closed by medical glue. … Former DU assistants Steve Miller and Rico Blasi also practiced with their teams Friday. Miller is an assistant with Providence and Blasi is Miami’s head coach.
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or
