UWBadgers.com is looking back at Wisconsin Athletics' 1999-2000 season. Follow along throughout this year as we revisit this unheralded dream season for the Badgers.
BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — Dany Heatley was one of the most celebrated newcomers in Wisconsin men's hockey history when he arrived on campus in the fall of 1999.
He was an 18-year-old winger from Calgary, Alberta, a legacy recruit who would emerge as one of the most dynamic talents to ever play for the Badgers.
Heatley would become the second overall pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft — the highest position of any Wisconsin skater — and win the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in 2002, in addition to earning two Olympic gold medals playing for Team Canada in 2006 and '10.
But before making his college debut and helping Wisconsin to one of its most successful seasons in program history, Heatley came to Madison laden with emotions. Yes, scoring a remarkable 96 goals and being named Canadian Junior Player of the Year in 1998-99 had made him "pretty confident," but he also was "scared, nervous and excited" given all the expectations.
The fact that Heatley's father, Murray, was one of the first modern-era standouts for the Badgers was one of those challenges.
A lot of that angst vanished when Dany Heatley found himself an on-ice soulmate in senior center and fellow Albertan Steve Reinprecht, who grew up in Edmonton.
Reinprecht, who led Wisconsin in scoring three straight seasons and twice led the way in goals, was the captain of a veteran-laden lineup that featured four seniors and eight juniors.
"He was a big help to me," Heatley said. "He said, 'My job is to make you the No. 1 overall pick and your job is to make me some money as a free agent.'"
Just like the season itself, it almost worked out perfectly.
Heatley accounted for a team-best 28 goals and was named Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Year, but it was Boston University goaltender Ricky DiPietro who was chosen first in the NHL draft.
Reinprecht, an undrafted free agent, led the nation in scoring and was voted WCHA Player of the Year, but it was Boston College defenseman Mike Mottau who won the Hobey Baker Award as the best college player in the land while Reinprecht finished second.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, claimed the MacNaughton Cup as WCHA regular-season champion for just the third time in program history and won 31 of 41 games, but lost to North Dakota in the WCHA tournament championship game and fell as the No. 1 overall seed to Boston College in the NCAA West Regional semifinals.
Those two season-ending losses — the only instance where Wisconsin lost back-to-back games — stung more than usual because North Dakota and BC advanced to the national title game where North Dakota prevailed.
Still, it was a season to remember for the Badgers.
"Very satisfying," Heatley said, noting the quality depth of the WCHA where five schools had at least 20 wins. "We were consistent."
He said winning the MacNaughton Cup was a "great accomplishment" in part because it's such a difficult prize to win. The 1977 and '90 outfits are the only other MacNaughton winners in Wisconsin history; both won national championships as well.
But there's a lingering sense of regret regarding the season-ending setback to BC.
"We had a bad night," Heatley said. "When you're in the moment, it sucks."
Reinprecht, senior winger Dustin Kuk, junior defenseman Jeff Dessner and junior goaltender Graham Melanson were the psychological guide posts for the younger players, including rookie standouts Brian Fahey, a defenseman, and Brad Winchester, a winger from Madison who was a second-round NHL draft pick of Edmonton. The upperclassmen were driven by memories of a substandard 15-19-4 showing in 1998-99.
"They took care of us, respected us as players," Heatley said of the veterans. "We had a good mix of freshmen and older guys. There were guys with a lot to prove all around. Right from the start we were a good team."
From the opening days of preseason training camp, Wisconsin coach Jeff Sauer had Heatley skating on an all-Alberta line with Reinprecht and sophomore winger David Hukalo, who grew up in Edmonton.
"They made it easier to come in and have success," Heatley said.
That line was an immense force all season — Reinprecht (26-40-66), Heatley (28-28-56) and Hukalo (15-24-39) finished as the top three scorers — but one weekend in mid-January was unforgettable.
North Dakota, the eventual national champion, came to the Kohl Center and helped put on a dramatic show. The Badgers blew a 2-0 lead in the opener, but won 3-2 in overtime when Hukalo converted. Wisconsin wasted a 3-0 advantage the following night, but prevailed in overtime when Hukalo reprised his heroics to produce a 6-5 triumph.
"Two exciting, back-and-forth games where you're flying out there the whole weekend," Heatley recounted. "Two very good teams. Two packed houses. When the Kohl Center is full it sounds like an NHL arena."
Dany Heatley, #15 of the Atlanta Thrashers, holds the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top rookie (2002)
Heatley was drafted by Atlanta the following summer and could have turned pro, but felt he needed another year of development and maturity. He led the Badgers in scoring (24-33-57) and was a first-team All-American, but had the added burden of being a leader.
"I'm definitely happy I came back for my second year," Heatley said. "I wanted to have fun as a student. I just wasn't ready to go as a human yet."
Things turned out OK for Reinprecht, who played 11 NHL seasons for five clubs, including Colorado, which won the Stanley Cup in 2001.
Now 38, Heatley is retired, living in Hermosa Beach, California, with his wife, Stephanie, and daughters James (3) and Charlize (1 1/2). He's taken up tennis and skates weekly with a group of former NHL and college players living in the Los Angeles area.
Dany Heatley (center) with Wisconsin's coaching staff (2017)
Heatley said he catches his alma mater on the Big Ten Network and Fox Sports as much as possible. He likes all the young talent coach Tony Granato has stockpiled. He also likes being a father and having time to be there to watch his children grow.
"I can't complain," Heatley said. "I'm just enjoying life."
