The Vegas Golden Knights are facing a setback as star defenseman Shea Theodore has been ruled week-to-week with an upper-body injury sustained while representing Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. The injury occurred during Canada’s 4-3 overtime win against Sweden on Wednesday.
Shea Theodore Out for the Rest of the Tournament
Team Canada’s head coach, Jon Cooper, confirmed that Theodore will miss the remainder of the tournament, which wraps up next Thursday. Cooper, however, kept the specifics of the injury under wraps.
“What a kid, and he only got to play six minutes,” Cooper said emotionally.
“It’s heartbreaking for him. But he was the first one at the door high-fiving the guys after the win. It’s tough to swallow because you know how much it means to him.”Injury Details: A Painful Exit
Theodore suffered an apparent injury to his right wrist or forearm after a collision with Sweden’s Adrian Kempe in the second period. The hit sent Theodore hard into the glass. He was seen in visible pain on the bench before heading down the tunnel for X-rays.
Kempe seemed unaware of the severity of the hit, stating
, “I didn’t know until the intermission when they told me. I honestly can’t even remember the hit, so I’ll have to go back and look.”Shea Theodore’s Impactful Season So Far
Theodore, 29, has been a key player for the Golden Knights this season, racking up:
- 7 goals and 48 points in 55 games
- 22:02 average ice time (second on the team)
With his seven-year contract extension set to begin next season at a $7.43 million cap hit, Theodore remains a vital piece of the Golden Knights' defense.
Sanheim Steps In for Team Canada
In Theodore’s absence, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim will step into the lineup. Sanheim and Sam Bennett were healthy scratches against Sweden, but now Sanheim is getting his shot on the blue line.
However, Team Canada is limited in making further roster adjustments. According to TSN’s Chris Johnston, Canada cannot add any new players unless another defenseman is injured. They can only notify a player to be on standby.
With Theodore out, all eyes are on Sanheim to help Canada maintain its momentum as the tournament heads toward the final. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights will be keeping a close watch on Theodore’s recovery, hoping their star defenseman returns to the ice soon.