Player Reviews: The Up-And-Comers

As part of the AnaheimDucks.com annual Player Reviews, we have been featuring a different Ducks player throughout the summer. Each review will include key stats, a highlight from last season and an outlook for 2016-17.

By Kyle Shohara and AJ Manderichio AnaheimDucks.com

SHEA THEODORE Anaheim’s prospect pool runs deep on defense – and at the forefront of this stockpile of talent is 21-year-old Shea Theodore, who made his eagerly anticipated NHL debut last season.

Much is expected from the dynamic offensive defenseman from Langley, British Columbia. Theodore, of course, had a tremendous junior hockey career with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. There, he finished as Seattle’s all-time leader in goals (58) and points (212) by a defenseman, and was a two-time Western Conference First All-Star and 2014-15 Defenseman of the Year.

After a dip in the water with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League in the spring of 2015 (where he posted four goals and 11 points in nine games), he began last season in the ‘A’ with the San Diego Gulls for the club’s inaugural AHL campaign. Theodore went on to appear in 50 games with the Gulls, earning 37 points (9g/28a) and 34 penalty minutes.

He made his NHL debut on Dec. 29, 2015 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary after being recalled the day before. Although the season was all but two months old, it felt like a long-awaited NHL debut for Theodore, who had already been recalled three times prior to this most recent call-up. And with defenseman Cam Fowler on injured reserve, it was time for Theodore to take the stage. A momentous occasion, no doubt, for the then-20-year-old, who had family in attendance.

“Here I am, and I’m pretty excited about it,” Theodore said after the team’s morning skate. “I just need to keep it simple and get my legs under me in the first couple of shifts. Last year, playing in World Juniors, those were big games, especially with that home crowd. I’m going to try and approach it the same way. I’m looking forward to it. My parents are coming, my sister, too. It’ll be nice to have them here.”

As we’ve seen over the years, a player’s NHL debut isn’t without a little good-natured fun. His teammates allowed Theodore to lead the team out for pregame warmups, but unfortunately for him, none of them followed. It was an unofficial “Welcome to the NHL” moment for the easy-going Theodore, who proceeded to take a few laps all by his lonesome before the team took the ice. He’d finish the game with 15:45 TOI and memories he’ll surely never forget.

Another milestone came seven games later when he showed off his offensive instincts on January 13 against the Ottawa Senators at Honda Center. Already coming ever-so-close to his first career NHL goal in the games leading up to this one, Theodore would find the back of the net in dramatic fashion against the Sens.

With the score tied, 1-1, and the Ducks on the power play late in regulation, Theodore snuck past the four Sens that challenged puck-carrying Ryan Getzlaf at the blueline. Uncontested, Theodore received the pass and skated in, snapping a shot past Craig Anderson with 4:55 left in the game to give the Ducks a 2-1 lead. Theodore gave an emphatic fist pump before …

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