When the San Jose Sharks acquired former Ottawa Senators forward and Wisconsin alumnus Dany Heatley in a trade over the summer, there were inevitably some questions surrounding the controversial star.
He may have had a pair of 50-goal seasons in Ottawa and has already made his mark with the Sharks in the 2009-'10 season, but Heatley's exit from the Senators was marred by controversy. First, he demanded a trade from Ottawa and later turned down a trade to the Edmonton Oilers. Eventually, he landed in San Jose after a long, controversial summer.
But the Sharks' Assistant General Manager and Vice President Wayne Thomas was not concerned about Heatley's rough exit from Ottawa. That's because Thomas had known Heatley and his family thanks to the time he spent playing with his dad, Murray, on the 1969-'70 Badger hockey team.
""I got to know the kids when they were pre-teens and teens,"" Thomas said of Dany and Mark Heatley. ""I spent time with him before Dany Heatley became Dany Heatley—I know his character.""
In the midst of a new beginning for the Badger hockey team, the senior Heatley and Thomas grew closer as teammates and friends. Today, the bonds forged at Wisconsin remain strong, especially since Dany Heatley joined the Sharks.
Thomas, a goaltender who now coaches the Sharks' netminders, was the Badgers' starting goalie in their Cinderella run to the 1970 Frozen Four. That year, he and Murray Heatley were two stars in the young Badger program, and both Badgers still talk regularly and remember their time in Madison fondly.
""I remember great friends that I still have today. I remember Madison as a great college town,"" said Heatley, who now lives in Calgary. ""A beautiful place to be, lots of nice people there, and a great hockey tradition that we helped establish.""
The former teammates remain good friends to this day, talking regularly by phone and visiting in person if they get the chance. When the Sharks swing through Calgary to face the Flames, Murray Heatley said Thomas often comes to his home for dinner, and when Dany Heatley moved to his new home in the Bay Area after being traded, his father and Thomas were there to help him move in.
With his summer trade, Dany Heatley joined Thomas and forward Joe Pavelski as Badger products playing in San Jose. Thomas said the three of them talk about their time in the program and at Wisconsin, and occasionally watch Badger football or hockey games together. For Heatley, keeping up with the team has been a way for him and other players to stay connected with their schools.
""We've got a Michigan guy, we've got a few colleges down here,"" Heatley said. ""So it's always fun to root for the Badgers.""
Heatley and Pavelski both played two seasons at UW, Heatley from 1999-'01 and Pavelski from 2004-'06. Heatley said he treasures the time he spent in Madison.
""Playing at the Kohl Center was an unbelievable experience,"" he said. ""[It was] two of the best years of my life.""
Today, Pavelski is considered one of the top young centers in the NHL, while Heatley was in a tie with Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin for the second highest goal total in the league with 18 so far this year heading into the Sharks' game against Vancouver Sunday.
So while some may have questioned the circumstances under which Dany Heatley left for San Jose, Thomas' time at Wisconsin and with Murray Heatley let him know Dany has a good head on his shoulders. Murray Heatley is also happy with his son's choice, saying the organization will be a good fit for Dany.
""[Sharks General Manager] Doug Wilson seems to be the same kind of guy as Wayne—totally honest and reeking integrity,"" he said. ""It's a family atmosphere there.""
