University of Minnesota Crookston Athletics

Heppner comes to Minnesota Crookston from the Sanford Sports Academy in Bismarck, N.D., where he was the Sports Academy Hockey Coach. He assisted with camps, and training of athletes. Heppner previously played three seasons of professional hockey. Heppner competed with the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs from 2020-23. He played 94 games in his career, scoring 29 goals, and accumulating 37 assists. Heppner's best season with the Rail Yard Dawgs was 2021-22 with 20 goals and 23 assists. He earned Player of the Week honors with Roanoke.

In his first year with the Golden Eagles, Coach Heppner helped coach the hockey team to a record of 22-8-2, finishing fourth in conference standings and 10th in the Central Regional Rankings. The Golden Eagles were one goal away from their first ever Nationals Appearance in Heppner's first season alongside long time Head Coach Steve Johnson. Heppner was a key piece to the success of the team on the ice and the growth of the players off it.

He finished his professional career in 2022-23 with the Sydney Ice Dogs of the AIHL, scoring four goals and six assists in eight games.

Heppner played college hockey at Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minn. He was a three-time All-MIAC First Team selection for the Johnnies. He helped his squad to a MIAC Regular-Season Championship as a senior. Heppner had 42 goals, and 40 assists in his four-year career at Saint John's. He led the team as a sophomore in 2017-18 with 13 goals, and 11 assists. Heppner was named to the MIAC All-Rookie Team as a freshman.