T-Birds’ Theodore chosen for Canada’s national junior camp

For the Reporter

Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, has selected Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Shea Theodore to take part in Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp.

The camp begins Dec. 11 at the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence in Toronto, Ontario.

The Canada roster includes two goaltenders, 10 defensemen and 17 forwards. Canada’s final roster for the 2015 World Junior Championship in Toronto and Montreal will include 22 players, and must be finalized by Dec. 25. The 2015 World Junior Championship begins Dec. 26.

Theodore has a goal and three assists in seven games with the T-Birds since returning from a conditioning assignment with the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL. Theodore, from Aldergrove, British Columbia, suffered an elbow injury at the training camp of the Anaheim Ducks in September. He was assigned to the Admirals on Oct. 29 by the Ducks. With the Admirals Theodore played in five games and had three goals and two assists. Theodore was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, 26th overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft.

Theodore led the T-Birds in points in the 2013-14 season with 79. He registered 22 goals and 57 assists in 70 games. In the post-season Theodore had five assists in nine playoff games. Theodore was called up to the Admirals for the Calder Cup Playoffs. He played in four games, registering one goal and two assists.

Theodore holds the team record for most goals by a defenseman with 46. He is in third place in team history for career points and assists by a defenseman, behind both Craig Channell and Thomas Hickey.

Theodore has 168 career regular season points on 46 goals and 122 assists in 221 games. He is 19 points and 44 assists behind Channell who had 21 goals and 166 assists over three seasons with the Seattle Breakers (79-80, 80-81, 81-82). He is nine points and 16 assists behind Hickey who had 39 goals and 138 assists over four seasons (05-06, 06-07, 07-08, 08-09) with the T-Birds.

Seven of the 10 defensemen attending the Selection Camp are from the WHL. In addition to Theodore, Josh Morrissey (Prince Albert Raiders), Madison Bowey (Kelowna Rockets), Haydn Fleury (Red Deer Rebels), Dillon Heatherington (Swift Current Broncos), Joe Hicketts (Victoria Royals) and Travis Sanheim (Calgary Hitmen) will all challenge for a spot on Team Canada.