jason spezza wife dany heatley
The player who was once thought to be too nonchalant and careless in his own zone was now trusted to be on the ice to protect the lead in the final minute of a playoff game. Heatleys first assist on a Spezza goal produced one of the most exhilarating and memorable goals in Senators history. He returned to action on May 19, 2013, for the third game of Ottawa's Eastern Conference Semi-final series against Pittsburgh. At the end of the 2009-10 season, there were whispers that Spezza was the next one asking for a change of scenery. Playing in the American Hockey League (AHL) in 200405 due to the NHL lockout, he won the Les Cunningham Award as league MVP with the Binghamton Senators. The 36-year-old Spezza credits his close friendship for Heatley as for one of the reasons why the trio was so lethal. I just felt that we had to move him. It definitely wasnt an easy decision.. 1-2-3 in Stanley Cup playoff scoring with 22 points apiece. [30][31] On November 21, Spezza signed a four-year contract with Dallas (effective from the 201516 season through to the 201819 season) worth an annual average value of $7.5million. WebJason Spezza (born Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza on June 13, 1983) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). In the playoffs, Spezza saved an elite performance for a pivotal Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. Spezza made it to the gold medal game with Canada in his third and final World Junior appearance in 2002, but lost to Russia to earn the silver. He managed a career-high 34 goals and finished with 87 points in 67 games. (Craig Melvin / NHLI via Getty Images). I was kind of rooting for Toronto because of him, Daniel Alfredsson admitted to The Athletic Sunday evening. [45][46], On September 29, 2003, Heatley was seriously injured in a car crash after he lost control of the Ferrari 360 Modena he was driving on a curved road in a residential area of Atlanta. The Senators announced on January 31, 2013, that Spezza would be out of the Ottawa line-up for a minimum of two months (and possibly longer) as he required surgery for a herniated disc in his back. Captain Daniel Alfredsson quickly replaced Bochenski on the top line (Bochenski was soon thereafter traded) and the new trio become nicknamed the "CASH" line and "Pizza" line. It was just perfect, explains Heatley. If you talk to guys who played on those teams, we had some big arguments amongst ourselves and Heater would always tell me how open he was and I'd get back to him that if he was open, I would have passed to him. [4] "I was surprised at it, but I understood it", Atlanta Thrashers' GM Don Waddell said of Heatley's desire to leave Atlanta in the aftermath of Dan Snyder's death. [5] The Thrashers and the Atlanta community were largely supportive of Heatley, and Snyder's family told the judge and prosecutors that nothing would be gained by imprisoning him. Spezza, who turned 35 this summer, was a hockey hero for more than a handful of his current teammates. Beginning the 200708 season in the final year of his contract, on November 2, 2007, Spezza signed a new seven-year, $49million contract with the Senators effective from the 200809 season through to the 201415 season. His offensive production improved the following season, scoring 33 goals in 75 games as the Stars qualified for the 2016 playoffs as the top seed in the Western Conference. In the first round of the 2010 playoffs, the Senators lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins four games to two. You're not supposed to be able to pull moves like that at 22. [43] On February 28, 2010, the team defeated the United States to win Canada's eighth gold medal in Olympic men's hockey. I enjoyed it when Pizza Pizza moved the threshold from five goals to six goals. The goal against Theodore gave Spezza 14 points in his first eight games of the season and it was clear the young centre was ready for prime time. In the 2006 playoffs, the Senators defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, but fell to the Buffalo Sabres in five games. Im glad he could go out the way he did. In the off-season, he was drafted second overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, behind goaltender Rick DiPietro. Jason Spezza for Dany Heatley? [51], At the 2015 World Championships, where Canada won the gold medal for the first time since 2007 with a perfect 100 record, Spezza was named best forward and a member of the all-star team; he was the tournament's leading scorer. Heatley recorded back-to-back 50-goal seasons with Spezza as his main playmaker and the dynamic duo also had a close relationship off the ice. Heatley and the Senators followed up another strong regular season going all the way to the Stanley Cup finals, but finished short in five games against the Anaheim Ducks. Team captain Daniel Alfredsson admitted days earlier that a scenario in which Heatley showed up in Ottawa as an unhappy camper would create a massive media headache for the rest of the team. He later played for the Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs. Jason Rocco Anthony Spezza (born June 13, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. Many of his then-current and past teammates were in attendance, including Ray Emery, Antoine Vermette, Brendan Bell, Chris Phillips and Chris Neil, as well as Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. During the summer of 2006, Spezza underwent successful back surgery. [51] McAlpine died on March 5, 2018, at the age of 54,[52] and the charges of fraud, theft and laundering the proceeds of crime were stayed two days later.[53]. After a lockout delayed the start of the 2012-13 campaign, Spezza suffered a back injury that required surgery limiting him to only five regular-season games. With the Presidents Trophy-winning Senators facing elimination down 3-1 in their series against New Jersey, Martin inserted Spezza into the lineup in a desperate attempt for an offensive spark. It sure doesn't show a good team attitude. We had a really good combination of a pure goal scorer, a pure playmaker and then I contributed a little bit of everything, says Alfredsson. They were originally known as the CASH Line, because it was an acronym for Captain Alfredsson, Spezza and Heatley and because they were money in big situations. [37], On October 5, 2020, Spezza signed a one-year, $700,000 extension with the Maple Leafs. It was a good example of the communication we had, without even knowing it., The dynamic duo of Heatley and Spezza was flanked on the right side by Alfredsson, who says this line was almost a perfect mix.. Follow Ian on Twitter @ian_mendes, Spezza at the 2001 NHL Draft after being selected at No. [4], In August 2012, it was revealed that Heatley had filed an $11 million lawsuit against his longtime agent and business adviser Stacey McAlpine, McAlpine's parents Gerald and Eugenia, and several companies. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. The second overall pick originally belonged to the New York Islanders but was traded to Ottawa (along with Zdeno Chra and Bill Muckalt) in exchange for Alexei Yashin on the day of the Draft. Under new head coach Paul MacLean, Spezza thrived by finishing sixth in Hart Trophy voting for league MVP that season. In the following season, Heatley put up the worst full-season point totals of his career, registering only 26 goals and 64 points in 80 games. [21] The Sharks won the game 40, and Heatley had an assist. On December 2, 2010, in his first return to Ottawa, Heatley was frequently booed. The team started to look like a real team again. [55], Spezza wed his girlfriend, Jennifer Snell, in Ottawa on July 25, 2009. And I trusted his ability to know where I was, too. On November 20, Heatley recorded his second hat-trick in as many months, as he scored three times from passes from teammate Joe Thornton in a 63 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. Canada captured a second-straight gold medal, defeating Sweden 53 in the final. It is also alleged that Stacey McAlpine made unauthorized withdrawals of more than $4 million from Heatley's bank accounts. Prior to the trade request, these concerns had been brought to the attention of management during the Senators' year-end meetings. Spezza joined fellow NHL stars John Tavares, Tyler Seguin, Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Smyth and Matt Duchene in the Canadian line-up,[50] helping Canada defeat host team HC Davos to capture its first Spengler Cup title since 2007. I just think the playmaking of Spezza and the scoring of Heatley scared a lot of opponents.. It enables me to continue to follow my passion; learn and live new experiences within the game I love. [37] The next year, in 2001, Heatley scored three goals and five points as Canada won a second-straight bronze. Ottawa was plagued with injuries to its superstars all season. In 201112, Spezza was named as a permanent alternate captain for the Senators. The Pizza Line reached its pinnacle in the spring of 2007, with the three Ottawa linemates finishing at Nos. Heatley had little choice but to report for training camp, and the atmosphere between him and his Senators' teammates was described as "awkward", "tense", and "untenable". WebOttawa's Dynamic Duo make an appearance on OTR the opening night of the 06-07 season.Digicam quality, don't expect too much. He admitted to consuming alcohol prior to the crash, but his blood-alcohol content tested below the legal limit. Heatley represented Team Canada in six World Championships, two Olympics and one World Cup of Hockey, as well as two World Junior Championships. WebDany Heatleyis a German-born Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. The 200809 season was a disappointing one for both Spezza and the Senators. Dany Heatley at left wing Jason Spezza at centre They were originally known as the CASH Line, because it was an acronym for Captain Alfredsson, Spezza and Heatley - and because they were money in big situations. There he joined former teammate Devin Setoguchi who had also been traded by the Sharks to the Wild on June 24, ten days before him. I had some great years in Ottawa and I look back on them fondly, so whenever they do things like this, it's nice to be recognized.". Im just thankful I got to play with him and be his teammate and his friend.. Heatley made $8 million that year.[22]. Spezza managed 73 points in 82 games, and while still respectable, the numbers were his lowest totals since his first full NHL season in 200304. Playing with Spezz and Alfie was an amazing time. He registered two goals and three assists in five games before a back injury sidelined him. He recorded 61 points in 52 games that season before requesting a trade and subsequently being dealt 15 games into the 200001 season to the Windsor Spitfires. The Maple Leafs instead offered him a new position as special assistant to general manager Kyle Dubas, which Spezza accepted, saying he was "very grateful to the Leafs for the amazing opportunity to transition into this new role. Catalyzed by a rejuvenated offence, Ottawa finished the season with the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second-best in the league. "The frustrating part for us is we have gone through several coaches here that we couldn't win enough games with," Murray stated. [52][53], Spezza participates in numerous activities outside of hockey, especially the "Spelling with Spezza" program. [33], Heatley has been voted into the NHL All-Star Game five times, and played in four of them, most recently in 2009. My goodness."[35]. He amassed 687 points in 686 games with Ottawa, making him the only point-per-game player who suited up in more than 500 games for the Senators franchise. The following season, the pattern repeated itself with Spezza one of the final training camp casualties in October of 2002. [56], The couple have four daughters. The 2005-06 season created a perfect recipe for success for Spezza. To see some of the classic games on TV, we had a real chemistry that I don't think you can teach.". He was always looking for me. Daniel "Dany" James Heatley (born January 21, 1981) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. Updated: December 02, 2010 [39] Heatley managed three points in six games as Canada, defending its 2002 gold medal, was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Russia. Though he managed to remain injury-free and played in all of his team's 82 games for the first time in his NHL career, his point production decreased. The 36-year-old Spezza credits his close friendship for Heatley as for one of the reasons why the trio was so lethal. [29] On December 11, 2014, Heatley was assigned to the Ducks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. Heatley ended up with a prime seat for Spezzas spectacular goal, one that is often top-of-mind for Senators fans when discussing the most spectacular goals in regular-season history. This is not what Byran Murray wanted to hear when he arrived at work that morning. Jason Rocco Anthony Spezza (born June 13, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. Spezza formed a dominant line with Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson. The injury occurred in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 27. Spezzas popularity with his ex-teammates is evident even forcing the longest-serving captain in Ottawa history to have a soft spot for the Maple Leafs this spring. Spezza says he can't remember exactly when the trio was put together, but they clicked quickly. [5] He subsequently became the youngest player ever to participate in an OHL All-Star game at age 15. Heatley scored his eighth goal of the tournament in the third period, starting a rally from a 31 deficit. And are not friends. He returned in 2001 for a second consecutive bronze medal, while improving to three goals and three assists. [8] Among players with new teams, this was behind only Wayne Gretzky's 23-game streak upon joining the Los Angeles Kings during the 198889 season.[9]. [49] The suit, launched at the Ontario court in Ottawa, alleges Phillips felt he was misled by McAlpine and has not been able to recover monies invested. On July 1, 2014, Spezza was traded to the Dallas Stars (along with Ludwig Karlsson) in exchange for Alex Chiasson, Alex Guptill, Nick Paul and a second-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. The suit, filed in the Calgary Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, alleges that the defendants lured Heatley into several real estate ventures across Canada and the United States with promises of huge returns that never materialized. A difficult season ended with Heatley recording only 25 points as the Thrashers failed to earn a playoff spot. Spezza played 19 career seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 2002 to 2022, and is currently a part of the Toronto Maple Leafs' front office. He returned for three playoff games that spring against Pittsburgh, but it was clear he wasnt the player he was before the procedure. Though he had said that the city of Ottawa and the fans there had nothing to do with his desire to be moved, Senators fans were in no mood to forgive. [42] Spezza, who had a reputation as a clean player that had never been suspended or fined once in his 19 seasons in the NHL appealed the decision, with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reducing the suspension to four games on December 17.[43]. He asked to get out (of Atlanta) and he went to a team that he obviously approved of and had some success. He remained injury-free and finished fourth in league scoring, earning consideration for the Hart Memorial Trophy. Unfortunately for Ottawa fans, that 2011-12 season was the final highwater mark for Spezza in a Senators jersey. At the end of the season, Heatley was selected, along with Alfredsson, to the second All-Star team. [23] While producing a solid season, scoring 53 points, the Wild ultimately failed to reach the playoffs despite a hot start to the year. The Pizza Line era was officially over in Ottawa. Spezza finished the 2007 playoffs with a franchise-record 22 points, tied with linemates Alfredsson and Heatley. Even though it looked grim, Jason Spezza was on the doorstep to greatness. ", "Spezza headlines CHL Top Prospects game", "Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators Box Score February 9, 2008", "200910 Ottawa Senators Roster and Statistics", "Spezza trade talk could signal change of guard", "Jason Spezza Out at Least 4 to 6 Weeks with Shoulder Injury", "Senators' Jason Spezza merits Hart Trophy consideration", "Sens' Spezza to have back surgery, out minimum two months", "Spezza back as Senators set to take on Penguins in game 3", "Jason Spezza named captain of Ottawa Senators", "Jason Spezza requests trade from Ottawa Senators", "Spezza 'just a piece' to Stars' championship puzzle", "Stars, C Spezza agree on four-year, $30 million extension - TSN.ca", "Why it's fitting that Stars' Jason Spezza reached the 1,000-game milestone in Montreal", "Maple Leafs sign Free Agent center Jason Spezza", "Spezza signs one-year contract with Maple Leafs", "Spezza welcomes shot at childhood dream with Leafs", "Maple Leafs' Jason Spezza working way back into Babcock's good graces", "Maple Leafs Sign Spezza to Contract Extension", "Jason Spezza records eighth career hat trick against Canucks - Sportsnet.ca", "Leafs' Spezza suspended 6 games for kneeing Jets' Pionk in head", "Bettman reduces length of Spezza's suspension to four games", "Jason Spezza announces retirement after 19 seasons, joins Maple Leafs' front office", "Big Kids with a Big Future Two talented 16-year-olds, Jay Bouwmeester and Jason Spezza, represented Canada at the world juniors", "2009 World Championship: Goal Scoring Leaders", "Ottawa Senators centre Jason Spezza will play for Canada at Spengler Cup", "Canada defeats HC Davos in Spengler Cup final", "Canada's National Men's Team wins gold medal at 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship", "Canada wins first hockey worlds gold since 2007", "Sens @ School: Spelling with #19 Spezza", "This is Ottawa Senator Jason Spezza's Charity", "Spezza wedding attracts teammates and fans but no Heatley", "New baby for Jason Spezza and wife Jennifer", "Jason Spezza and his wife welcome their fourth child to the world Tuesday afternoon", "Jason Spezza is selling his $1.7M west-end mansion", "Jason Spezza Named Cover Athlete for NHL 2K8", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jason_Spezza&oldid=1133671186, Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in Switzerland, Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States, National Hockey League first-round draft picks, Articles with dead external links from April 2017, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Canadian English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Biographical information and career statistics from, This page was last edited on 14 January 2023, at 23:59. 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