Further confirmation that Heil is the real deal was displayed at a higher level than college hockey. Tampa Bay’s seventh round pick already had a taste of the professional level–and thrived! In a Sept. 24, 2025, preseason clash with the Nashville Predators, Heil played the third period, overtime, and shootout going a perfect seven for seven. That type of opportunity–and success is almost unheard of in the modern era.
