University of Denver sophomore forward Danton Heinen will forgo his junior and senior seasons to sign an entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins.

Heinen was selected by Boston in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and has led Denver in scoring in each of the last two seasons.

“We’re very excited for Danton to be signing with Boston – it’s a great achievement and everyone in our program celebrates the accomplishment with him,” said DU coach Jim Montgomery. “The accolades he’s accrued and the (statistical) numbers he’s produced during his time at Denver speak volumes about his talent as a hockey player, but the things that don’t show up on a score sheet – his tremendous character, work ethic and dedication to his teammates – are truly immeasurable and that’s what makes him such a special young man.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to have coached Danton these last two seasons and we wish him nothing but the best as he enters the next stage of what will undoubtedly be a highly-successful career. We’re looking forward to watching him skate alongside the best players in the world in the near future.”

In 81 career games as a Pioneer, Heinen registered 93 points on 36 goals and 57 assists. He earned NCHC Freshman of the Year honors in 2014-15 and was named the conference’s Forward of the Year for 2015-16. The 20-year-old playmaker was named the inaugural recipient of the ASN Player of the Year Award last week after recording 20 goals and 48 points as a sophomore and captured All-Tournament honors at this year’s NCAA West Regional, tallying a goal and five assists in two games in helping DU reach its first Frozen Four since 2005.

“I’d like to thank everyone at Denver for two fantastic years and it’s been an honor to wear a Pioneers jersey,” said Heinen. “The administration, faculty, my teammates and the student body as a whole have been very supportive and the coaching staff has been nothing short of phenomenal. Coach Montgomery and his staff have been instrumental in helping me develop to a point that I believe I’m ready to begin my professional career and I can’t thank them enough for everything that they’ve done for me.”

Heinen began his Denver career in the summer of 2014 after playing a single season of Junior A hockey in his home province of British Columbia. After weighing in at 161 pounds as a freshman, he leaves DU having added 25 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-1 frame in two short years.

“I wasn’t sure I was even ready for college hockey when I came here two summers ago but the coaches worked with me before, after and during practice to make me a better all-around player and prepare me for the next phase of my career,” the two-time All-NCHC Team member says. “(DU strength and conditioning coach) Matt Shaw deserves a lot of credit for helping me develop physically and I wouldn’t be getting a chance to play at the next level if not for his efforts and the time we worked together in the gym. I know that DU Hockey is in great hands and I wish my teammates and everyone involved with the program nothing but the best as they seek to bring an eighth national title back to Denver.”

Photo/DU Athletics