Back in the WHL, Anaheim Ducks pick Shea Theodore sets sights on the world juniors

After not being invited to the Super Series last year, Shea Theodore wants to make it count the second time around as a first-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks. He hopes to use his showing in the series to better his odds of cracking Team Canada’s world junior squad.

“It’s definitely a goal of mine and it’s every major junior player’s dream to play in the tournament,” says Theodore, who played a relatively quiet Game 1 on Monday night in Saskatoon. “I’m going to try to do my best here (Super Series) to show I can play on Canada. I’m hoping to stand out a little bit more and hope it helps my case, but I’m going to just play my game and see what happens.”

It was surprising to see the Seattle Thunderbirds star defenceman left off the WHL’s Super Series team last year. He was not only a high draft pick, but he also netted 10 goals and 21 points throughout his first 17 games. The snub ended up giving him some extra motivation to make Hockey Canada second-guess their decision.

“I want to prove them (Hockey Canada) wrong and maybe make them think twice about their decision,” Theodore told BTN last December. “The world juniors and Super Series were two things I wanted to be a part of. It was disappointing to not get the opportunity, but if I can finish out this year really strong I think that will maybe make them think about their decision more and get my name in the mix for next year.”

Theodore appears to be one of the best options to replace former Portland Winterhawks defender Derrick Pouliot, 20, from last year’s team as an offensive-minded blueliner. The 6-foot-1, 186-pounder showed last year when he notched 22 goals and 79 points in 71 games that few and far between can match his offensive instincts and playmaking abilities.

“I feel I can contribute in all areas, but my best strength is on the offense,” he says. “I try to move the puck around and make plays out there.”

Theodore isn’t, however, by any means a lock to crack the team. The WHL alone has a handful of highly regarded defenders vying for spots such as Winnipeg Jets top pick and would-be returnee Josh Morrissey (Prince Albert Raiders), Washington Capitals second-rounder Madison Bowey (Kelowna Rockets), Philadelphia Flyers first-rounder Travis Sanheim (Calgary Hitmen), Carolina Hurricanes prized pick Haydn Fleury (Red Deer Rebels) and Columbus Blue Jackets second-rounder Dillon Heatherington (Swift Current Broncos). In addition, would-be returnee and Colorado Avalanche prospect Chris Bigras (Owen Sound Attack), Edmonton Oilers prized pick Darnell Nurse (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) and Flyers top pick Samuel Morin (Rimouski Oceanic) are considered favourites to make the U20 club.

The Super Series is Theodore’s first dose of amateur action this year as he was just sent back to junior on Nov. 9 from Anaheim in time for the series. He wasn’t spending extra time with the Ducks because they were contemplating keeping him as a 19-year-old, but rather because he suffered a ulnar collateral ligament sprain (right elbow injury) that kept him out of action for about a month.

“I feel good to go now,” says Theodore on his elbow. “It was in the second prospects game before main camp started and it was definitely disappointing to get injured after working out all summer. Having to sit out five weeks isn’t something that you want to here in that situation.”

The Aldergrove, B.C., native didn’t join Team WHL in rusty shape after sitting out with an injury, though. He suited up in five games with the Ducks’ farm team, the Norfolk Admirals, for a conditioning stint after his elbow fully recovered. He did more than hold his own in the AHL as he scored at a point-per-game pace with three goals and five points.

“It was a confidence boost,” he says on his AHL stint. “I was playing pretty good minutes and I played all five games that I could have. I thought I did well with the opportunity I was given.”

Theodore will join the 8-7-2-1 Thunderbirds for the first time this year after the Super Series is wrapped up on Nov. 10. He will without question be a big boost to their back end in the lackluster U.S. Division.

“I’m excited to see all of the guys and have been Skyping them and texting them,” says Theodore. “I’ve been following their progress and am looking forward to joining them.”

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen