1. Early life
Heatley was born on January 21, 1981, in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. His father, Murray Heatley, was a professional hockey player in Germany at the time. After his father retired from professional hockey, the family relocated and settled in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
2. Playing career
Heatley's ice hockey career progressed from successful amateur and junior levels to a notable professional career in the NHL and European leagues.
2.1. Amateur career
Heatley's amateur career began in minor hockey with the Calgary Buffaloes in the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL). During the 1997-98 season, he recorded 91 points in 36 games, earning the Harry Allen Memorial Trophy as the league's top scorer. He then led the Buffaloes to a bronze medal at the 1998 Air Canada Cup, where he was recognized as both the Top Scorer and the Tournament MVP.
Aiming to play college hockey in the United States, Heatley joined the Junior A ranks in 1998-99 with the Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), a move that allowed him to maintain his NCAA eligibility rather than playing in major junior leagues. In this season, he scored 70 goals and 126 points in 60 games, earning him the titles of AJHL and Canadian Junior A Player of the Year.
The following season, Heatley began a two-year period with the University of Wisconsin Badgers in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). As a freshman, he was named to the WCHA first All-Star team and the NCAA West Second All-American Team, and also received the WCHA Rookie of the Year award. His strong performance led to his selection by the Atlanta Thrashers as the second overall pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, behind goaltender Rick DiPietro. After his sophomore year, during which he was named to the 2001 WCHA Second All-Star and NCAA West First All-American Teams, Heatley decided to forgo his remaining two years of college eligibility to turn professional with the Thrashers.
2.2. Professional career
Heatley's professional career included significant periods in the NHL with multiple teams, as well as a stint in European leagues.
2.2.1. Atlanta Thrashers (2001-2005)
Heatley made his NHL debut with the Thrashers in the 2001-02 season. He led all rookies in points (67) and assists (41), and was second on the team in goal-scoring (26), trailing only Ilya Kovalchuk. His outstanding rookie performance earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year, for which Kovalchuk was also a nominee.
In the 2002-03 season, Heatley established himself as an NHL star, accumulating 41 goals and 89 points in 77 games, placing him ninth overall in league scoring. However, his promising career was significantly disrupted by a serious car crash in September 2003, which tragically resulted in the death of his teammate Dan Snyder and left Heatley with severe injuries. Consequently, his season did not commence until January 2004, and he was limited to just 31 games, recording 25 points as the Thrashers failed to secure a playoff berth.
During the 2004-05 NHL lock-out, Heatley initially played for the Swiss team SC Bern. He scored 24 points in only 16 games before sustaining an injury when a puck struck his left eye, fracturing his orbital bone. This injury left the pupil of his left eye permanently dilated. He concluded the season playing alongside his Thrashers teammate Kovalchuk for Ak Bars Kazan in the Russian Superleague (RSL), where he contributed 4 points in eleven games.
2.2.2. Ottawa Senators (2005-2009)
Prior to the end of the NHL lockout, Heatley requested a trade from Atlanta, expressing a desire to distance himself from the painful reminders of the car crash. This request was met with disapproval from Thrashers fans, particularly as Dan Snyder's father, Graham Snyder, publicly acknowledged the extensive support Heatley had received from the Thrashers organization throughout his trial and ordeal. On August 23, 2005, the Thrashers traded Heatley to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Slovak star Marián Hossa and veteran defenseman Greg de Vries. As a restricted free agent at the time of the trade, Heatley promptly signed a three-year, 13.50 M USD contract with the Senators.
In his debut game for the Senators on October 5, 2005, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Heatley played with Jason Spezza and Brandon Bochenski. Late in the game, with the Senators trailing, Daniel Alfredsson replaced Bochenski and scored the tying goal. The 2005-06 season marked the NHL's first implementation of the shootout, and Heatley became the second player to score in an NHL shootout, finding the net against Leafs goalie Ed Belfour, immediately after Alfredsson. The sticks used by Heatley and Alfredsson in that historic shootout are now reportedly housed in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Later that month, on October 29, Heatley achieved a career-high by scoring four consecutive goals in an 8-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Heatley made an impressive start with his new team, recording points in the first 22 games of the 2005-06 season, surpassing Marián Hossa's previous franchise record of 13 consecutive games. Among players joining new teams, this streak was second only to Wayne Gretzky's 23-game streak upon joining the Los Angeles Kings during the 1988-89 season.
In his first return to Atlanta as a Senator, Heatley was met with frequent booing from Thrashers fans, who felt spurned by his earlier trade request. Despite scoring in the game, Heatley and the Senators suffered an 8-3 defeat to his former teammates.
Heatley concluded the 2005-06 season with 50 goals and 103 points, ranking fourth in the league. This marked his first 50-goal season and the first time any Senators player had achieved this milestone, setting a franchise record for goals in a season, previously held by Marián Hossa (45 goals in 2002-03). His 103 points also tied Daniel Alfredsson for the team lead, together surpassing Alexei Yashin's franchise record of 94 points in a season from 1998-99.
Bolstered by a revitalized offense, Ottawa finished the season with the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second-best in the league. Despite high expectations for the playoffs, they were eliminated in the second round by the Buffalo Sabres. Heatley recorded 12 points in 10 playoff games. At the season's end, Heatley was selected, along with Alfredsson, to the Second All-Star Team.
Following a slow start to the 2006-07 season, Heatley once again scored 50 goals (second in the league to Vincent Lecavalier's 52 goals) and 105 points (fourth in the league). By reaching the 50-goal plateau for the second consecutive season, he became the first NHL player to do so since Pavel Bure in 1999-2000. Heatley's 105 points broke the previous franchise record he shared with Alfredsson. His performance earned him a spot on the First All-Star Team.
Heatley and the Senators built on another strong regular season by advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they were ultimately defeated in five games by the Anaheim Ducks. The line of Alfredsson, Spezza, and Heatley was dominant throughout the playoffs, with all three players tied for the NHL lead in playoff points at 22.
Fresh off their Stanley Cup Finals appearance, Heatley began the 2007-08 season with a new six-year contract extension worth 45.00 M USD with the Senators, signed before the season opener against the Maple Leafs. Heatley had played in 208 consecutive Senators games since his arrival from the Marián Hossa trade, a streak that ended on January 12, 2008, when he suffered a separated shoulder in a collision with Detroit Red Wings forward Dallas Drake, sidelining him for 11 games. He finished the 2007-08 season with 41 goals and 41 assists for 82 points in 71 games. Ottawa struggled with superstar injuries throughout the season. Seeding seventh in the East, Ottawa faced the Pittsburgh Penguins in the playoffs, a repeat of the previous year's first-round matchup. However, Heatley and the Senators were swept in four games, with Heatley managing only one point.
On October 3, 2008, Heatley was named an alternate captain alongside defenseman Chris Phillips, serving under captain Daniel Alfredsson. However, the 2008-09 season saw a decrease in production for Heatley and the top line, resulting in an 11th-place finish for the Senators in the Eastern Conference, well out of playoff contention.
2.2.3. San Jose Sharks (2009-2011)
On September 12, 2009, Heatley was traded to the San Jose Sharks, along with a fifth-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, in exchange for Milan Michálek, Jonathan Cheechoo, and a second-round pick in 2010. Heatley earned 8.00 M USD that year. In the Sharks' fourth game of the season, their home opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Heatley's first game in front of the San Jose fans, he completed a hat-trick with a penalty shot goal in the third period, bringing his season totals to four goals and five assists (nine points) in the first four games. On November 20, Heatley recorded his second hat-trick in as many months, scoring three times from passes by teammate Joe Thornton in a 6-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Sharks were eliminated in the 2010 Conference Finals when, with Heatley in the penalty box, the Chicago Blackhawks scored the game-winning goal, sweeping the series. Head Coach Todd McLellan later revealed that Heatley had been playing the entire playoffs with a torn groin muscle.
On December 2, 2010, during his first return to Ottawa, Heatley was frequently booed by the crowd. Despite his previous statements that the city and fans had nothing to do with his desire for a trade, Senators fans were unforgiving. Several attendees displayed their #15 Heatley jerseys with certain letters covered to spell "H-A-T-E". Late in the game, a group of 10 fans came to ice level and collectively threw their Heatley jerseys onto the ice in a coordinated protest. Another fan held up a sign that read, "Even Yashin Thinks You're A Jerk," a reference to former Senators player Alexei Yashin, who had also left the team controversially in 2001. The Sharks ultimately won the game 4-0, with Heatley contributing an assist. In the following season, Heatley recorded the lowest full-season point totals of his career, with only 26 goals and 64 points in 80 games. After the season, it was disclosed that Heatley had been battling multiple injuries throughout the season and particularly during the playoffs.
2.2.4. Minnesota Wild (2011-2014)
On July 3, 2011, Heatley was traded to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Martin Havlát, a former teammate from Ottawa. There, he reunited with former Sharks teammate Devin Setoguchi, who had also been traded to the Wild ten days prior. While Heatley had a solid season, scoring 53 points, the Wild ultimately failed to reach the playoffs despite a strong start to the year. On February 9, 2012, Heatley scored the fastest goal in Wild history, netting the puck just 13 seconds into a game against the Vancouver Canucks.
In the lock-out-shortened 2012-13 season, Heatley recorded 11 goals and 10 assists in 36 games with Minnesota. However, during an April game against the San Jose Sharks, an altercation with former teammate Marc-Édouard Vlasic resulted in a dislocated left shoulder for Heatley, requiring surgery that ended his season.
The 2013-14 season saw a dramatic decline in Heatley's production, as he managed only nine goals and 19 points in his first 55 games. As he approached unrestricted free agency, speculation arose that his NHL career might be nearing its end, and he might consider moving to Europe to continue playing hockey. Although he showed glimpses of his past abilities, recording seven points in one ten-game stretch, he had only accumulated 27 points by the 74-game mark of the season. On March 29, 2014, Heatley was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career, following several games where he had been demoted to the fourth line.
2.2.5. Anaheim Ducks and Florida Panthers (2014-2015)
On July 9, 2014, Heatley signed a one-year, 1.00 M USD deal as a free agent with the Anaheim Ducks. After four games with no points, he became a healthy scratch. On December 11, 2014, Heatley was assigned to the Ducks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. He was placed on waivers on December 29, 2014. On February 28, 2015, Heatley was traded to the Florida Panthers along with a 2016 third-round draft choice for Tomáš Fleischmann. He concluded his time with the Ducks with no points in 6 NHL games but recorded 7 points in 25 games with Norfolk. Heatley did not play a single game with the Panthers, instead reporting to their farm affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.
2.2.6. Europe (2015-2016)
Heatley signed with the German club, the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), on September 17, 2015. He reached the DEL playoff semifinals with the Ice Tigers, where they were defeated by the Grizzlys Wolfsburg. Heatley played a total of 59 games during the 2015-16 season, tallying 19 goals (including the Ice Tigers' final goal of the season) and 18 assists.
2.3. All-Star Games
Heatley was voted into the NHL All-Star Game five times and participated in four of them, most recently in 2009. His first appearance was in the 2003 All-Star Game, where he scored four goals, tying a single-game All-Star record shared by four other players, including Wayne Gretzky. The game proceeded to a shootout, where Heatley scored the only goal for the Eastern Conference in a 6-5 loss. This shootout goal, however, did not count towards his regulation total of four, leaving him tied for the record. Heatley also added an assist for a game-high five points and was named the All-Star Game MVP. In response to Heatley's impressive performance in only his second NHL season, Eastern Conference teammate Jeremy Roenick commented, "Twenty-two years old? You're not supposed to be able to pull moves like that at 22. My goodness."
Heatley's next All-Star appearance came in 2007, where he played on a line with former SC Bern teammates Daniel Brière and Marián Hossa. He contributed a goal and two assists in a 12-9 loss to the Western Conference. Heatley was selected for the 2008 game but had to withdraw due to a shoulder injury suffered in an earlier game against the Detroit Red Wings. Heatley was selected for his fourth All-Star Game in 2009 and scored a goal in a 12-11 Eastern Conference win in a shootout.
3. International play
Daniel Heatley achieved significant success representing Team Canada in various international tournaments, demonstrating his skill and contributing to multiple medal wins.
He competed in two World Junior Championships during his two-year collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin. His first appearance was in 2000, where Canada secured a bronze medal with a shootout victory over the United States, with Heatley scoring a goal in the 4-3 win. The following year, in 2001, Heatley contributed three goals and five points as Canada earned a second consecutive bronze medal.
Heatley made his senior international debut with Team Canada at the 2002 World Championships, following his rookie season with the Atlanta Thrashers. He recorded four points before Canada was defeated by Slovakia in the quarter-finals. The subsequent year, Heatley led Team Canada in scoring with seven goals and ten points at the 2003 World Championships in Finland, helping the team secure his first gold medal.
Having missed the playoffs with the Thrashers once more, Heatley participated in the 2004 World Championships in the Czech Republic. He dominated the tournament with 11 points, leading all scorers and earning his second consecutive MVP award. Canada captured a second consecutive gold medal, defeating Sweden 5-3 in the final. Heatley scored his eighth goal of the tournament in the third period, initiating a rally from a 3-1 deficit. Several months later, Heatley competed in the 2004 World Cup and contributed two assists as Canada defeated Finland in the final to claim the second-ever World Cup championship.
At the 2005 World Championships in Austria, his fourth consecutive World Championships, Heatley did not achieve the same level of individual success, accumulating seven points in nine games, as Canada was shut out by the Czech Republic in the gold medal game, taking silver.
On December 21, 2005, Heatley was selected by Team Canada to participate in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, marking his first Olympic Games appearance. Heatley managed three points in six games as Canada, defending its 2002 gold medal, was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Russia.
Heatley returned to the World Championships in 2008 after a three-year absence, joining the roster with teammate Jason Spezza after the Ottawa Senators were eliminated from the playoffs. During this tournament, he surpassed Marcel Dionne to become Team Canada's all-time leading goal-scorer in the World Championships, and then overtook Steve Yzerman to become the all-time point leader for Canada in the World Championships. Heatley concluded the tournament with an impressive 12 goals and eight assists in nine games. However, Canada was defeated by Russia in overtime in the gold medal game, securing silver. Heatley was recognized with the MVP, Best Forward, and All-Star Team honors for his performance.
In the summer of 2009, Heatley was invited to Team Canada's Olympic tryout camp in Calgary, where he was notably booed on the ice by fans, reflecting public discontent over his recent trade request from the Senators. Despite this, on December 30, 2009, Heatley was selected to play for Team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He helped lead Team Canada to an 8-0 victory in the first game of the tournament by scoring two goals. On February 28, 2010, the team defeated the United States to win Canada's eighth gold medal in Olympic men's hockey.
4. Post-playing career
After retiring from playing professional ice hockey, Heatley transitioned into a scouting role. He was hired by the Philadelphia Flyers as a professional scout prior to the 2023-24 NHL season.
5. Personal life
Heatley's personal life has included notable events concerning his citizenship, a highly publicized car crash, and a significant lawsuit against his former agent.
5.1. Citizenship
Heatley holds dual Canadian and German citizenship. This dual nationality stems from the fact that his mother is German.
5.2. Car crash and legal issues
On September 29, 2003, Daniel Heatley was involved in a severe car crash that tragically claimed the life of his Atlanta Thrashers teammate, Dan Snyder. Heatley was driving a Ferrari 360 Modena on a curved road in a residential area of Atlanta when he lost control of the vehicle. The car struck a wall, resulting in it splitting in half and ejecting both Heatley and Snyder, who was a passenger.
Heatley sustained serious injuries, including a broken jaw, a concussion, a bruised lung, a bruised kidney, and torn ligaments in his right knee. Snyder suffered a critical skull fracture and, despite medical efforts, died in the hospital of sepsis on October 5, 2003.
In the subsequent legal proceedings, Heatley pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular homicide, along with charges of driving too fast for conditions, failure to maintain a lane, and speeding. He admitted to consuming alcohol prior to the crash, although his blood-alcohol content was tested to be below the legal limit. As part of a plea deal that led to the dropping of the first-degree vehicular homicide charge, Heatley was sentenced to three years of probation. The judge also ruled that any vehicle driven by Heatley could not have more than six cylinders and could not exceed 70 mph. The Thrashers organization and the broader Atlanta community extended significant support to Heatley throughout this difficult period. Notably, Dan Snyder's family informed the judge and prosecutors that they believed nothing would be gained by imprisoning Heatley, a stance that played a significant role in his probation sentence.
5.3. Lawsuit against agent
In August 2012, it became public that Heatley had filed an 11.00 M USD lawsuit against his longtime agent and business adviser, Stacey McAlpine, as well as McAlpine's parents, Gerald and Eugenia, and several associated companies. The lawsuit, filed in the Calgary Court of King's Bench of Alberta, alleged that the defendants had enticed Heatley into multiple real estate ventures across Canada and the United States with promises of substantial returns that never materialized. It was further alleged that Stacey McAlpine had made unauthorized withdrawals of over 4.00 M USD from Heatley's bank accounts. The defendant companies named in court documents included Presidential Suites Inc., Waterfront Development Inc., McAlpine Sports Management Inc., and NSEM Management Inc.
One month later, it was revealed that Heatley's former Senators teammate Chris Phillips was also initiating a 7.50 M USD lawsuit against Stacey McAlpine to recover money lost due to problematic real estate deals. Phillips' lawsuit, launched in an Ontario court in Ottawa, alleged he was misled by McAlpine and had been unable to recover his invested funds.
After a lengthy court process, a judge in Calgary, Alberta, awarded Heatley 6.50 M USD on July 21, 2017. Stacey McAlpine was later arrested and charged with fraud, money laundering, and theft by authorities in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on October 18, 2017. However, McAlpine died on March 5, 2018, at the age of 54. Consequently, the charges of fraud, theft, and laundering the proceeds of crime were stayed two days later.
5.4. Endorsements
In 2003, Heatley was selected as the cover athlete for the 2004 installment of the EA Sports NHL video game franchise, NHL 2004. However, due to the fallout from Heatley's car crash shortly thereafter, EA Sports made the decision to switch the cover photo to Joe Sakic. Despite this change, many copies of the game were still shipped with Heatley's original cover photo.
6. Public image and controversies
Daniel Heatley's public image was significantly shaped by a combination of his on-ice performance and several off-ice controversies, particularly the fatal car crash and his contentious trade request from the Ottawa Senators.
6.1. Ottawa trade request controversy
Heatley's trade request from the Ottawa Senators in June 2009, despite having several years left on a long-term contract, became a major controversy that significantly impacted his public image among fans and the media. The controversy stemmed from his reported unhappiness with his role under new head coach Cory Clouston, specifically citing decreased ice time and his demotion from the first to the second power-play unit.
This request was met with widespread criticism across Canada, with sports journalists and fans labeling him as "a brat," "pathetic," and "reprehensible." The general sentiment was one of confusion and anger, particularly given the strong support he had received from the Senators organization and the city following the traumatic car crash. Many felt that his actions showed a lack of team loyalty and an entitled attitude. Even Graham Snyder, the father of his late teammate Dan Snyder, who had been instrumental in Heatley avoiding prison time, publicly expressed his surprise and confusion regarding Heatley's decision to force a trade from a team and market that had embraced him.
The situation further escalated when Heatley refused to waive his no-trade clause for a proposed deal to the Edmonton Oilers, drawing additional ire from both Senators and Oilers fans. This refusal also led to a lawsuit from Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, who argued the team should not have to pay a substantial roster bonus to a player actively seeking a trade. While this lawsuit was settled out of court, it highlighted the deep financial and personal friction caused by the dispute.
The atmosphere during training camp after the trade request became public was described as "awkward" and "untenable." Team captain Daniel Alfredsson voiced concerns about the media circus and potential distractions an unhappy Heatley would create. The entire episode underscored the strong bond between professional hockey teams and their fan bases in Canada, and Heatley's actions were perceived by many as a betrayal of trust and commitment, contributing to a lasting negative perception in some circles.
6.2. Overall public perception
The 2003 car crash and the subsequent Ottawa trade request were pivotal events that significantly defined Heatley's public perception. The car crash, while tragic and deeply personal, also placed him under intense public scrutiny due to its legal ramifications and the loss of a teammate. The supportive stance of Dan Snyder's family and the Thrashers organization initially helped temper public judgment, but the event remained a somber note in his career narrative, underscoring the serious consequences of his actions.
The Ottawa trade request, however, arguably caused more damage to his public image in terms of character and professionalism. His perceived unwillingness to adapt to a new coaching system and his demand for a trade, despite a lucrative contract and the team's prior support, led to widespread accusations of selfishness and disloyalty. This created a stark contrast with the loyalty and community spirit often valued in Canadian hockey culture. While his on-ice achievements were undeniable, these controversies often overshadowed them, creating a mixed and sometimes negative public perception of Daniel Heatley as a player who, despite his talent, could be seen as self-centered or ungrateful.
7. Awards, achievements, and records
Heatley achieved numerous individual and team awards throughout his career, along with setting several notable records in the NHL and international competitions.
- Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL)
- Harry Allen Memorial Trophy (Top scorer): 1998
- Air Canada Cup MVP: 1998
- Air Canada Cup bronze medal: 1997, 1998
- Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL)
- Player of the Year: 1999
- Canadian Junior A Hockey League (CJHL) Player of the Year: 1999
- College (NCAA Division I)
- All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Rookie Team: 2000
- All-WCHA First Team: 2000
- WCHA Rookie of the Year: 2000
- American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) West Second-Team All-American: 2000
- All-WCHA Second Team: 2001
- AHCA West First-Team All-American: 2001
- National Hockey League (NHL)
- Calder Memorial Trophy: 2002
- All-Rookie Team: 2002
- All-Star Game participation: 2003, 2007, 2008 (selected but withdrew due to injury), 2009
- All-Star Game MVP: 2003
- EA Sports NHL cover athlete: 2004 (switched to Joe Sakic post-crash)
- Second All-Star Team: 2006
- First All-Star Team: 2007
- International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
- World Championships All-Star Team: 2004, 2008
- World Championships Best Forward: 2004, 2008
- World Championships MVP: 2004, 2008
- NHL Records
- All-Star Game record for most goals in a game (4, tied)
- All-Star Skills Competition record for shooting accuracy (2004) - 4-for-4 (shared with Ray Bourque, Mark Messier, Tomas Kaberle, Evgeni Malkin and Jeremy Roenick)
- First NHL game-winning shootout goal
- Team Records
- Atlanta Thrashers franchise record for most points by a rookie (67)
- Ottawa Senators franchise record for most goals in a season (50)
- Ottawa Senators franchise record for most points in a season (105)
- Ottawa Senators franchise record for longest point-scoring streak (22 games)
- Ottawa Senators franchise record for most points in one post-season (22, tied with Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson)
- First Ottawa Senator in franchise history to score 50 goals in a season
- First Ottawa Senator in franchise history to score back to back 50-goal seasons
- International Records
- Team Canada's all-time leading goal-scorer: 42 goals (as of 2010 Winter Olympics)
- Team Canada's all-time leading point-scorer: 69 points (as of 2010 Winter Olympics)
8. Career statistics
8.1. Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 1997-98 | Calgary Buffaloes AAA | AMHL | 36 | 32 | 59 | 91 | 34 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 30 |
| 1998-99 | Calgary Canucks | AJHL | 60 | 70 | 56 | 126 | 91 | 13 | 22 | 13 | 35 | 6 |
| 1999-2000 | Wisconsin Badgers | WCHA | 38 | 28 | 28 | 56 | 32 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2000-01 | Wisconsin Badgers | WCHA | 39 | 24 | 33 | 57 | 74 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2001-02 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 82 | 26 | 41 | 67 | 56 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2002-03 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 77 | 41 | 48 | 89 | 58 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2003-04 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 31 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 18 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2004-05 | SC Bern | NLA | 16 | 14 | 10 | 24 | 58 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2004-05 | Ak Bars Kazan | RSL | 11 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 22 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 2005-06 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 82 | 50 | 53 | 103 | 86 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 11 |
| 2006-07 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 82 | 50 | 55 | 105 | 74 | 20 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 12 |
| 2007-08 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 71 | 41 | 41 | 82 | 76 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 2008-09 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 82 | 39 | 33 | 72 | 88 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2009-10 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 82 | 39 | 43 | 82 | 54 | 14 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 16 |
| 2010-11 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 80 | 26 | 38 | 64 | 56 | 18 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| 2011-12 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 82 | 24 | 29 | 53 | 28 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2012-13 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 36 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 8 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2013-14 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 76 | 12 | 16 | 28 | 18 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| 2014-15 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2014-15 | Norfolk Admirals | AHL | 25 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 8 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2014-15 | San Antonio Rampage | AHL | 18 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015-16 | Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers | DEL | 46 | 17 | 15 | 32 | 30 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 14 |
| NHL totals | 869 | 372 | 419 | 791 | 620 | 77 | 16 | 47 | 63 | 63 | ||
8.2. International
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Canada | WJC | Bronze | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 2001 | Canada | WJC | Bronze | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| 2002 | Canada | WC | 6th | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| 2003 | Canada | WC | Gold | 9 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 10 |
| 2004 | Canada | WC | Gold | 9 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 4 |
| 2004 | Canada | WCH | Gold | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2005 | Canada | WC | Silver | 9 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 16 |
| 2006 | Canada | OG | 7th | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 |
| 2008 | Canada | WC | Silver | 9 | 12 | 8 | 20 | 4 |
| 2009 | Canada | WC | Silver | 9 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 8 |
| 2010 | Canada | OG | Gold | 7 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Junior totals | 14 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 14 | |||
| Senior totals | 71 | 44 | 30 | 74 | 56 | |||
8.3. NHL All-Star Games
| Year | Location | G | A | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Sunrise | 4 | 1 | 5 | |
| 2007 | Dallas | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2008 | Atlanta | - | - | - | |
| 2009 | Montreal | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| All-Star totals | 6 | 2 | 8 | ||