Seattle Thunderbirds

Top 19 Thunderbirds; A completely subjective list you will certainly disagree with. Continued. #5.

Alright folks, here we are. We have made it all the way to the top five players in Thunderbirds history (as decided by me!). We’ve spanned many different eras so far on the countdown from the days of the Breakers in the 70’s to the dominant late 80’s and early 90’s to as recent as players from the 2017 Ed Chynoweth Cup winning roster. I’ll admit, there has been a lack of defenseman on my list, but I saved the best one for last. You guessed it folks, coming in at #5 is smooth skating defender, Shea Theodore.

(Photo-Seattle Thunderbirds)

Theodore, a native of Langley, BC was selected by the Thunderbirds in the third round, 64th overall, of the 2010 Bantam Draft. Theodore had spent his draft year with Fraser Valley Bruins of the BCMML. In 35 games played “Theo” as he became to be known as during his days in Seattle scored five times and added 24 assists for 29 points. Once his season ended, he appeared in four games with Seattle, though he did not record a point during his first taste of Western Hockey League action. However, point production would not be a worry for Theo during the rest of his Dub career.

(Photo-Seattle Thunderbirds)

Shea’s rookie year came in 2011-2012. Theodore had a very productive rookie campaign on a team looking to be coming to the end of a three-year period where they were amongst the worst team in the league. In 69 games Theo scored four goals and showed his play making abilities with 34 assists for 35 points. He led all Seattle defensemen in scoring as a 16-year-old rookie. He was just getting started.

 

2012-2013 was a breakout year for the young Theodore. Theo appeared in 71 games, scoring 19 goals and adding 31 assists for 50 points. Theodore was among the leading scorers for d-men during his sophomore year. Theodore helped Seattle to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Seattle was involved in a classic series against what I consider one of Seattle’s oldest rivals, the Kelowna Rockets (dating back to their days in Tacoma). Seattle took a 3-0 series lead with all games going into overtime. Theodore even assisted on the Evan Wardley OT goal in Game 3, which has been rumored to be the moment future Seattle Thunderbirds star, Mat Barzal decided to sign with Seattle. Ultimately however, Seattle dropped the next four games of the series including a Game 7 OT loss. Theodore was named to team Canada for the U18 World Junior Championship tournament where he contributed five assists on route to a gold medal. His final draft ranking headed into the NHL entry draft was number among North American skaters (by NHL Central Scouting). At the draft, Theodore was taken in the first round, 26th overall by the Anaheim Ducks.

(Photo-Seattle Thunderbirds)

Theodore returned to Seattle for the 2013-2014 season, with an entry level contract from Anaheim in hand. Theodore was named to Seattle’s leadership group for the season, being named an alternate captain. His third full season in the WHL was also his most productive. Shea reached new career benchmarks in both goal scoring (22) and assists (57) for 79 total points in 70 games played.

Theodore’s 19-year-old campaign started out with some bad luck. The d-man injured his elbow at Anaheim’s training camp in September of 2014. After a five game conditioning stint in the AHL with the Norfolk Adimirals – during which he had five points – Theodore returned to Seattle.

Theodore appeared in 43 games for Seattle, scoring 13 goals and 35 assists for 48 points. He was also named captain of the Thunderbirds after Justin Hickman suffered a season ending injury. Theo was also selected to represent team Canada at the U20 World Junior Championshps that winter, where he scored one goal and had one assist, once again winning gold with the Canadians.  Theodore also scored nine points (3G,6A) in six playoffs games against rival Portland. Additionally, Theodore was the recipient of the Bill Hunter trophy as the WHL’s top defenseman.

(Photo-Seattle Thunderbirds)

Theodore spent the next two seasons in the Anaheim Ducks system, splitting time between the big club and their new AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. However, Anaheim, at the time had one of the deepest prospect pools on the back end in the NHL and with the Vegas expansion draft coming up, they were forced to make a move to keep some of those players protected. Theodore was the sacrifice Anaheim made, as he was dealt to Vegas with the agreement Vegas would also take the contract of Clayton Stoner off Anaheim’s books. In retrospect, this may have been the best thing for Theodore’s career. He immediately earned himself a full-time spot on Vegas’ roster and has flourished in the NHL seeing improvements offensively every year. He made a trip to the Stanley Cup final in 2018 and represented team Canada once again at this past spring’s World Championships, winning a silver medal.

(Photo-Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire)

Theodore’s impact on Seattle was immediate and his legacy will be long lasting. He is currently the all-time points leader among Seattle defenseman (regular season) and second in playoff scoring all-time, behind only Ethan Bear. For my money, Theo was one of the absolute best defenseman that has ever come through Seattle, and I know I look forward to seeing him play again in the Pacific Northwest come 2021.