Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Danton Heinen fights for the puck during the Penguins’ home opener. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
WILKES-BARRE — Beginning the season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins was certainly not something that crossed Danton Heinen’s mind as he entered training camp this fall.
After all, the 30-year-old forward was a full-time NHL player the past seven seasons with the Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks — rejoiningPittsburgh last spring in a trade with Vancouver for his second stint with the organization after previously playing in Pittsburgh from 2021-23.
Failing to make Pittsburgh’s opening-night roster out of camp this season, Heinen was placed on waivers and assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton earlier this month — his first time back in the AHL since the beginning of the 2017-18 season with the Providence Bruins.
It’s only been a few weeks, but the early returns are certainly positive, as Heinen was tied for the AHL’s lead in scoring earlier this week with eight points in his first five games following a goal in the Penguins’ 4-1 win over Lehigh Valley on Wednesday night.
“The (points are) a byproduct of what he’s done. His work rate, his effort, has been unbelievable. Even in practice, he’s a dog on a bone out there. It’s not an accident, the resultshe’s getting,” Penguins coach Kirk MacDonald said.
While there’s obvious disappointment given the situation, Heinen goes about things the right way and makes the most of his increased ice time and role while on the AHL roster.
“You have to channel it in a positive way,” Heinen said. “So, yeah, everybody here has been great. It’s a great group of guys. I’m just trying to learn here from the staff, trying to work hard and, yeah, just trying to enjoy it as much as possible.”
There are certainly areas of his game he can work on while with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with the increase in ice time as compared to what he would normally see at the NHL level, but it’s just as much as a mental battle as it is a physical one for Heinen and players who find themselves in a similar situation at the start of this season — trying to get back to the NHL after spending several years in the sport’s top league.
“I think confidence is a funny word, but yeah, I think for me it’s just getting the reps, and I think with that comes a little more confidence,” Heinen said. “You feel like you get more touches and playing a little more you get more in a rhythm.”
Another important piece of the puzzle is the simple fact that hockey is supposed to be fun, which can sometimes get lost in translation amidst personal and team failures andsuccesses on the ice.
“I mean, that’s when hockey is fun. When you’re playing offense and not defending,” Heinen said, referencing the Penguins’ five-goal third period last weekend in Bridgeport. “So, yeah, I think you get that feeling (and) you want to keep that going.”
The fact that the Penguins are off to a hot start produces a positive environment for Heinen — and all the players on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s roster — to develop and improve upon certain aspects of their respective games.
“Obviously he wants to get back to the NHL, but he’s doing everything in his power to make that happen. Some of the other stuff’s out of our control,” MacDonald said. “From a results standpoint, obviously (he’s) been outstanding, but from an example and an effort standpoint? I think some of the young guys can look and be like, OK, like, I’ve got no excuse,right? That’s what the standard should be every day. And there’s a reason why he’s played for as long as he has in the (NHL).”
Friday’s game
The good times are still rolling for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The Penguins scored four goals Friday night, and keeper Sergei Murashov stopped all 25 shots he faced as the locals picked up a 4-0 win over the Charlotte Checkers at Bojangles Coliseum to stretch their record to 6-0.
The two teams are back in action Saturday night.
WBS, Providence and Grand Rapids are the only undefeated teams left in the AHL, while Providence and the Penguins are sitting at the top of the Atlantic Division.
The Penguins scored 21 goals, and allowed just eight this season. Friday was the team’s first shutout.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Alex Alexeyev beat the Checker keeper just 1 minute, 26 seconds into the match for the 1-0 lead before Ville Koivunen’s third goal of the year pushed to the lead to 2-0 at the first intermission.
Danton Heinen added a power-play goal in the second for the 3-0 lead, and Joona Koppanen scored with 13 minutes left to set the final score.
The Penguins return to Mohegan Arena on Wednesday night to host undefeated Providence, and also have a home Halloween matchup with Bridgeport. The team will also play Saturday night in Utica.
Originally Published: October 26, 2025 at 12:00 AM EDT