Drafted by the Florida Panthers in 2020 and subsequently traded twice—first to the Calgary Flames and then to the Montréal Canadiens—forward Emil Heineman has finally established himself as a regular in the NHL with the Habs. His initial full season in North America didn’t meet his expectations, as he only played in four NHL games and spent the majority of the time with the Laval Rocket in the AHL. However, this year, as he approaches 23, Heineman has seen a significant improvement, scoring three goals and totaling five points in his first 18 NHL games.
“I didn’t have any specific expectations for this season; it was more about wanting to prove myself,” Heineman explained. “Last year’s training camp didn’t go as I planned, so I was determined to give everything I had to make the team. Making the team felt incredible, and that whole week was filled with joy—from receiving the news to playing my first game—just an amazing experience.”
Can you describe the feeling when you received the call?
“I had butterflies in my stomach all week,” he shared. “During the team meeting, the coaches announced that everyone in the room had made the opening roster. After that, we had a video meeting, but I could barely focus because I was overwhelmed with nerves and excitement—it was a whirlwind of emotions.”
What were your first shifts on the ice like?
“They were intense,” Heineman recalled. “We played our home opener against Toronto, and it was a physical match—just what you’d expect from opening night against the Leafs. We won a close game 1-0, thanks to our goalie (Sam Montembeault) who played phenomenally, making save after save. We all played well as a team.”
“We’ve already faced Toronto three times this season, including preseason games, which has been amazing. It’s thrilling to go up against top players and test yourself against them. It’s especially exciting to compete against guys like (William) Nylander. Those are the matchups you want to be included in.”
There aren’t many rivalries quite like Montreal versus Toronto.
“Absolutely. It feels surreal that I’ve already participated in a few of these matchups,” Heineman said, laughing. “The atmosphere in the arena is electrifying, and it’s clear that these games are significant. Toronto is a historical rival, and that has been the case for over a century.”
How do you view your start to the season?
“I feel like I’ve been putting in a solid effort. I had a strong start, scoring my first goal in my second game against Ottawa, which gave me a boost. I hit a bit of a slump, but I managed to bounce back. I’m learning from every experience, and overall, I think it’s been positive. Unfortunately, as a team, things haven’t been great, but I feel we are starting to find our rhythm, and it felt good to secure a win (7-5 against the Buffalo Sabres, where I scored) that we can build on. I’m confident that we’ll turn things around and hopefully catch a winning streak.”
Montreal is known for its passionate hockey fans. Do people approach you about hockey when you’re out in the city?
“It’s not overly intense, but it’s nice when I’ve received free coffee from café owners who recognized me—that’s pretty cool. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t say I’m a big celebrity just yet,” he chuckled.
