Shea Theodore

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Theodore began his minor ice hockey career with the Aldergrove Minor Hockey Association, during which he established himself as the most outstanding player in the team's franchise history. His successful minor career earned him a selection in the 2010 WHL bantam draft, by the Seattle Thunderbirds. During his tenure with the team, Theodore served as captain and competed for Canada at various international tournaments. He won a gold medal at the 2013 World U18 Championships and 2015 World Junior Championships and a silver medal at the 2019 World Championship. By the 2022–23 season, Theodore was one of six remaining original members of the Golden Knights, alongside Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, Reilly Smith, Brayden McNabb and William Carrier. The team reached the Stanley Cup Final for the second time, winning the Cup over the Florida Panthers in five games. Theodore and four of the other original Golden Knights started the decisive game five.

In Their Own Story

The 2019–20 season brought a personal battle for Theodore. Prior to the season, he underwent surgery to treat testicular cancer. The diagnosis came after he failed a drug test due to high hCG hormone levels while preparing for the 2019 IIHF World Championship. Despite this, he played for Team Canada at the tournament, posting 2 goals and 7 points in 10 games from the blue line and helping Canada reach the final, where they lost to Finland and earned a silver medal. Theodore's grandmother, who was also being treated for cancer, was invited to drop the ceremonial first puck during the Golden Knights' Hockey Fights Cancer game on November 21, 2019. On the ice, Theodore recorded a career-high 37 points in 79 games during the 2018–19 season. He also scored his first NHL goal on January 13, 2016, against the Ottawa Senators while with the Ducks, and his first postseason goal on April 17, 2017. In the 2013–14 WHL season, he led all WHL defencemen in scoring and was named to the Western Conference 1st Team All-Star team. He won the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as WHL defenceman of the year in his final junior season.

Reader's Guide

Theodore was drafted in the third round of the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft by the Seattle Thunderbirds. He played four games with the Thunderbirds but spent the majority of the 2010–11 season with the Fraser Valley Bruins. He recorded 35 points in 69 games during his first full WHL season. He was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Ducks and signed a three-year entry-level contract on September 24, 2013. He led all WHL defencemen in scoring in 2013–14 and was selected for the Western Conference 1st Team All-Star team. He was assigned to the Norfolk Admirals on April 10, 2014. After attending Ducks training camp, he was reassigned to the WHL for 2014–15, where he served as captain after an injury to Justin Hickman and was awarded the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as WHL defenceman of the year. He joined the Norfolk Admirals in April 2015. He was assigned to the San Diego Gulls to begin 2015–16, earned his first NHL call-up on October 17, and made his NHL debut on December 30, 2015, against the Calgary Flames. He recorded his first NHL goal on January 13, 2016, against the Ottawa Senators. He was traded by the Ducks to the Vegas Golden Knights on June 21, 2017, at the NHL Expansion Draft. He was assigned to the Chicago Wolves to begin 2017–18, recalled on October 30, and shuffled between AHL and NHL. He signed a seven-year, $36.4 million contract extension on September 24, 2018. He recorded a career-high 37 points in 79 games in 2018–19. Prior to the 2019–20 season, he underwent surgery to treat testicular cancer. On October 24, 2024, he signed a seven-year extension with the Golden Knights, keeping him in Vegas through the 2031–32 season.

Did You Know?

• Theodore won a gold medal at the 2013 World U18 Championships and 2015 World Junior Championships, and a silver medal at the 2019 World Championship.
• He was diagnosed with testicular cancer after failing a drug test due to high hCG hormone levels while preparing for the 2019 IIHF World Championship.
• Theodore's grandmother, who was also being treated for cancer, dropped the ceremonial first puck during the Golden Knights Hockey Fights Cancer game on November 21, 2019.
• He was named to Canada's roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics on December 31, 2025.