During a recent preseason face-off between the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, young Emil Heineman, 21, delivered a powerful hit on Zack MacEwen, leading to MacEwen's abrupt exit to the locker room.
Drafted 41st overall by the Florida Panthers in 2021, Heineman later joined the Canadiens following a trade. Last season, he showcased his skills mainly in Sweden and the AHL. He aspires to either make a significant mark in the AHL or secure a spot in Montreal's opening game roster.
Contrastingly, MacEwen, 27, climbed the NHL ranks without being drafted. Recognized as an enforcer, MacEwen's NHL journey spans 186 games and 245 PIMs. He recently inked a three-year contract with the Senators, joining as a forceful fourth-liner.