Last Updated on November 12, 2026 by Janet Asprin
Danton Heinen is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who belongs to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on July 5, 1995, in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, Heinen grew up in a supportive family with Dutch and Brazilian roots.
His family includes his wife, Julie Sternberg, his parents, Rick and Veronica Heinen, and his publicly identified siblings, Cody and Olivia Heinen.
Family has remained an important part of Heinen’s life throughout his professional hockey career, which has included appearances for the Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Danton Heinen’s Wife: Is He Married or Dating?
Danton Heinen is married to Julie Sternberg, his longtime girlfriend and romantic partner.
Their relationship was publicly documented before their marriage, including during Heinen’s time with the Anaheim Ducks and Pittsburgh Penguins.
In August 2021, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ official website identified Julie as Heinen’s girlfriend while discussing his preparations for joining the organization.
The couple had found a place to live in Pittsburgh with assistance from former Anaheim teammate John Gibson and his wife, Alexa.
Heinen and Julie also enjoyed spending time together outdoors, traveling, golfing, and visiting family in British Columbia.
Their relationship eventually led to marriage, which was celebrated in a wedding featured by Vancouver-based event planning company DreamGroup Weddings & Events.
Danton Heinen and Julie Sternberg’s Wedding
Danton Heinen and Julie Sternberg married in a private wedding ceremony attended by family members and friends.
Their wedding was documented in an article titled “The Power Play of Love,” published by DreamGroup Weddings & Events on September 6, 2023.
Wedding planner Sydney Power worked with the couple to organize an elegant celebration featuring a garden-inspired atmosphere.
According to the wedding planner, the ceremony and reception took place at a private residence.
The couple selected a sophisticated design featuring greenery, white flowers, black-and-gold accents, and carefully arranged reception tables.
Guests enjoyed an oyster bar during the cocktail reception, along with a photo booth and other entertainment.
Julie’s family traveled from the United States, while other relatives and friends arrived from different locations to celebrate the occasion.
The wedding planner described Danton and Julie as friendly, humble, and deeply appreciative of their guests.
Although the wedding was publicly featured in September 2023, the planning company’s article did not specify the exact ceremony date. Some secondary biographies place their marriage in 2022, but that date has not been independently verified through the planner’s account.
Who Is Julie Sternberg?
Julie Sternberg is best known publicly as the wife of NHL player Danton Heinen.
She has maintained a relatively private lifestyle despite her husband’s professional hockey career.
According to Heinen’s athlete sponsorship biography, the couple enjoyed traveling, fishing, golfing, paddleboarding, and spending time with friends and relatives.
During their relationship, Julie accompanied Danton through career changes involving several NHL cities.
Reliable public information about her exact age, occupation, parents, and educational background remains limited.
Does Danton Heinen Have Children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Danton Heinen and his wife, Julie, have children.
Neither has been reliably reported to have publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter.
Media coverage of their relationship has primarily focused on their wedding, personal interests, and life together during Heinen’s professional hockey career.
Consequently, the couple’s parental status remains private. No children’s names or birth dates have been established through reliable public reporting.
Danton Heinen’s Parents
Danton Heinen was born to Rick Heinen and Veronica Heinen, who raised their family in Langley, British Columbia.
Both parents supported Danton’s hockey ambitions from childhood and regularly attended his games.
The family also has an interesting cultural background because Rick has Dutch ancestry, while Veronica was born in Brazil.
Danton Heinen’s Father: Rick Heinen
Rick Heinen is Danton’s father and one of the most influential people in his hockey journey.
Rick comes from a family with Dutch heritage. According to an August 2021 Pittsburgh Penguins feature, his parents were born in the Netherlands before the family established itself in Canada.
Professionally, Rick has been involved in the family’s greenhouse manufacturing business, BC Greenhouse Builders, based in British Columbia.
The business manufactures greenhouses for residential and commercial customers.
In the Penguins interview, Danton explained that his father managed the family company and that other family members also worked there.
The business had already been operating for approximately 70 years when the interview was published in 2021.
How Rick Heinen Supported His Son’s Hockey Career
Rick helped introduce Danton to hockey and supported his development through minor and junior hockey programs in British Columbia.
The family regularly attended Vancouver Canucks games, and Danton grew up supporting the team.
In a February 2018 interview with The Hockey Writers, Heinen explained that his family had held Canucks season tickets since the year he was born.
His father also had access to tickets through the family business, allowing Danton to attend games at Rogers Arena during childhood.
These experiences helped strengthen his ambition to become a professional hockey player.
Rick continued attending games after Danton reached the NHL.
In September 2024, the Vancouver Canucks’ official website reported that Rick rarely missed watching his son’s games.
Rick and Danton’s brother Cody also attended the player’s first preseason game after he signed with Vancouver.
The opportunity to represent his hometown NHL team was especially meaningful because Rick and the rest of the family had supported Vancouver for decades.
Danton Heinen’s Mother: Veronica Heinen
Veronica Heinen is Danton’s mother and another important influence in his upbringing.
She was born in Brazil before moving to Canada, giving Danton Brazilian heritage through his mother’s side of the family.
Veronica raised her children alongside Rick in Langley, where the family developed a strong connection to hockey and local sports.
She supported Danton throughout his early hockey career, including his time playing junior hockey for the Surrey Eagles.
Veronica has also attended important NHL games and celebrated her son’s achievements.
In February 2018, The Hockey Writers reported that Veronica was looking forward to Danton’s return to Vancouver as a Boston Bruins player.
She expected a large group of friends and relatives to attend the game, demonstrating the family’s strong support network.
Veronica was also particularly excited when Danton joined the Vancouver Canucks in July 2024.
According to a Daily Hive interview published that month, Heinen identified his mother as the most excited family member following his decision to sign with his childhood team.
Although Veronica has been mentioned in hockey-related interviews, reliable details about her professional occupation and other personal matters remain limited.
Danton Heinen’s Siblings
Danton Heinen has at least two publicly identified siblings: his older brother Cody Heinen and his sister Olivia Heinen.
Biographical accounts describe Danton as growing up in a larger family, but the identities of any additional siblings are not consistently documented in reliable sources.
Cody and Olivia have both been involved in sports, reflecting the family’s athletic interests.
1. Cody Heinen: Danton Heinen’s Older Brother
Cody Heinen is Danton’s older brother and one of his closest family connections.
Cody grew up in Langley, British Columbia, and played hockey during his younger years.
He also became involved in the family’s greenhouse manufacturing business.
According to the Boston Bruins’ official website, Cody was 26 years old in July 2018 when he accompanied Danton on a team-organized trip to China.
Danton and Cody Heinen’s Trip to China
In July 2018, the Boston Bruins organized a promotional trip to China that included players and selected family members.
Danton invited his brother Cody to accompany him.
The brothers traveled together to Beijing, where they participated in sightseeing activities and visited the Great Wall of China.
In an interview with the Bruins’ official website, Danton described the trip as an exceptional opportunity to spend time with his brother.
Because Danton spent much of the year traveling for his NHL commitments, the brothers did not always have opportunities to see each other regularly.
Cody explained that he was surprised and excited when Danton invited him on the trip.
The experience allowed them to create lasting memories while exploring a country neither would ordinarily have visited together.
Cody continued living in the Langley area while Danton pursued his professional hockey career.
2. Olivia Heinen: Danton Heinen’s Sister
Olivia Heinen is Danton’s sister and a former competitive volleyball player.
Like her brothers, Olivia attended Langley Christian School in British Columbia, where she developed her athletic abilities.
She graduated from the school in 2017.
According to Langley Christian School’s official athletics website, Olivia later played as a setter for the Trinity Western University Spartans women’s volleyball team.
During her collegiate career, she became a national champion and received recognition for her academic achievements, leadership, sporting performance, and community involvement.
She also received the school’s 2022 Lightning Legacy Award.
Olivia has been associated with the family’s business, BC Greenhouse Builders.
In an August 2021 Pittsburgh Penguins feature, Danton explained that his brother and sister worked in the family company alongside his father.
Olivia’s achievements in volleyball demonstrate the family’s broader commitment to sports beyond professional ice hockey.
Danton Heinen’s Family Business: BC Greenhouse Builders
An interesting aspect of Danton Heinen’s family background is its longstanding connection to the greenhouse manufacturing industry.
The Heinen family has been associated with BC Greenhouse Builders, a British Columbia company specializing in greenhouse production.
In August 2021, Danton explained to the Pittsburgh Penguins that the company had been operating for approximately seven decades.
His father, Rick, managed the business, while his brother and sister were also involved.
Danton jokingly suggested that he might have worked in the family business if he had not become a professional hockey player.
He also recalled helping with small tasks, including sweeping floors, when he was younger.
The company provides an important connection between the family’s professional activities and its roots in British Columbia.
Danton Heinen’s Dutch and Brazilian Family Heritage
Danton Heinen comes from a multicultural family with Dutch and Brazilian ancestry.
His father’s family has roots in the Netherlands, while his mother was born in Brazil before immigrating to Canada.
Heinen was born and raised in British Columbia and represents Canada internationally.
His family background combines these cultural connections with a strong attachment to the Vancouver region.
How Danton Heinen’s Family Supported His Hockey Career
Danton Heinen began playing hockey in the Langley area before progressing through several junior hockey organizations in British Columbia.
He played for the Richmond Sockeyes and helped the team win the Pacific Junior Hockey League championship during the 2012–13 season.
He later joined the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League, where he recorded 62 points in 57 games during the 2013–14 season.
His success earned him a scholarship to the University of Denver.
In 2014, the Boston Bruins selected Heinen in the fourth round, 116th overall, of the NHL Entry Draft.
He spent two seasons with the Denver Pioneers, earning NCHC Rookie of the Year honors in 2015 and NCHC Forward of the Year honors in 2016.
Heinen signed his first NHL contract with Boston in April 2016 and made his NHL debut during the 2016–17 season.
His professional career subsequently included stints with Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and Vancouver.
On December 29, 2025, Heinen was traded from Pittsburgh to Columbus.
On July 22, 2026, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Blue Jackets for the 2026–27 season.
On November 5, 2026, Columbus assigned him to its American Hockey League affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, after he cleared waivers.
Throughout these transitions, Heinen has consistently acknowledged his family’s encouragement and their willingness to attend his games.
Frequently Asked Questions About Danton Heinen’s Family
Who is Danton Heinen’s girlfriend?
Danton Heinen’s longtime girlfriend was Julie Sternberg. The couple subsequently married, making Julie his wife.
Is Danton Heinen married?
Yes. Danton Heinen is married to Julie Sternberg. Their wedding was featured by DreamGroup Weddings & Events in September 2023.
Who is Danton Heinen’s wife?
His wife is Julie Sternberg, who has been his longtime romantic partner and accompanied him through various stages of his professional hockey career.
When did Danton Heinen get married?
Their wedding was documented by their wedding planner in a September 6, 2023, article. However, the exact wedding date has not been independently confirmed from that primary source.
Does Danton Heinen have children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Danton Heinen and his wife have children.
Who are Danton Heinen’s parents?
Danton Heinen’s parents are Rick Heinen and Veronica Heinen. They raised their family in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.
Who is Danton Heinen’s father?
His father is Rick Heinen, who has Dutch family roots and has been involved in managing the family greenhouse manufacturing business, BC Greenhouse Builders.
Who is Danton Heinen’s mother?
His mother is Veronica Heinen, who was born in Brazil before moving to Canada. She has supported Danton’s hockey career from childhood.
Does Danton Heinen have siblings?
Yes. His publicly identified siblings include an older brother named Cody Heinen and a sister named Olivia Heinen. Reports indicate a larger family, but additional siblings’ names have not been reliably established.
Who is Danton Heinen’s brother?
His older brother is Cody Heinen, who accompanied Danton on a Boston Bruins promotional trip to China in July 2018.
Who is Danton Heinen’s sister?
His sister is Olivia Heinen, a former volleyball player who competed for the Trinity Western University Spartans and graduated from Langley Christian School in 2017.
Is Danton Heinen Brazilian?
Danton Heinen is Canadian, but he has Brazilian ancestry through his mother, Veronica, who was born in Brazil. He also has Dutch ancestry through his father.
Where is Danton Heinen’s family from?
The Heinen family is based in the Langley area of British Columbia, Canada, where Danton grew up and developed his hockey skills.
A dedicated ice hockey journalist, Janet Asprin delivers sharp, detailed coverage of the NHL season. From evaluating trade deadline moves and line combinations to analyzing power plays and postseason standings, Janet brings a fresh, structured perspective to every game. She focuses on translating high-speed rink strategy into compelling stories and actionable insights for hockey fans.
