Daily Herald Staff
It’s been a week of changes for Max Heise.
On June 25, the 6’3 centre from Calgary signed a player development agreement with the Prince Albert Raiders after spending the last two seasons in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees. Then on June 28, the San Jose selected Heise in the fifth round of the NHL Draft, 150th overall.
“It’s pretty special,” Heise said in a media interview posted to the Sharks’ YouTube account. “I was just sitting in the living room with my family, had the TV on and saw my name pop up there.”
Heise joins a young club with plenty of potential. The Sharks were the worst team in the NHL last season, finishing nine points behind the Chicago Blackhawks. However, the Sharks also iced one of the youngest clubs in the league, with an average age of 26.7, and enjoyed a breakout season from Calder Trophy finalist Macklin Celebrini.
“I had some good conversations with them throughout the year,” Heise said when asked about joining the Sharks. “(It’s) just a really exciting moment for my family and I.”
The Raiders picked Heise in the third round, 55th overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft. However, the Calgary product chose to play two seasons in the BCHL to preserve his NCAA eligibility.
With the NCAA no longer barring major junior hockey players from U.S. College Hockey, Heise is headed to Saskatchewan.
“I’m going to Prince Albert next year in the Western League. I think they do a really good job at developing their players, and then moving on to Michigan State the following year after that, they have a great track record,” Heise said during the media availability.
Heise said he tries to be a physical forward who plays a strong two-way game and can be relied on in all situations. After signing with the Raiders on June 25, Prince Albert GM Curtis Hunt said they’re excited to add him to the roster.
“He’s a 200-foot player who excels in all zones,” Hunt said in a press release. “He can play centre or the wing. We look forward to seeing him in a Raider jersey.”
Heise’s selection marks the third straight year a Prince Albert Raider has been selected in the NHL Draft. NHL teams have picked at least one Raider in 15 of the last 17 drafts.
News and Notes
With the NHL Draft over, big league clubs have turned their attention to prospect and development camps.
This year’s list includes at least two Prince Albert Raiders. Forward Rilen Kovacevic was invited to the Colorado Avalanche Development Camp, while goaltender Max Hildebrand will attend camp with the Los Angeles Kings.
