Shea Theodore Out with Injury as Canada Prepares for USA Match

MONTREAL, Canada — Shea Theodore of the Vegas Golden Knights will miss the remainder of the 4 Nations Face-Off after suffering an upper-body injury during Canada’s opening game against Sweden on Wednesday. The injury occurred on a clean hit by Swedish forward Adrian Kempe in the second period, forcing Theodore to exit the game, which Canada ultimately won 4-3 in overtime.

The Golden Knights announced on Thursday that Theodore is considered week-to-week as he recovers. Theodore played just 6:59 in the game before leaving and was described by Canada coach Jon Cooper as a significant loss for the team. ‘That’s a big blow. What a kid, and he only got to play six minutes. It’s heartbreaking for the kid,’ Cooper said. ‘It’s a tough one to swallow because you just know how much it means.’

In light of Theodore’s injury, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim has been brought into the lineup for Canada’s next match against the United States this Saturday. Sanheim, who was a healthy scratch on Wednesday, is eager to seize the opportunity. ‘It’s been something that I’ve dreamt of doing. I’m very excited,’ he said. ‘You hate to see it happen this way, but I’m looking forward to it.’

Sanheim is recognized for his versatility, as he can comfortably play on both the left and right sides of the defense. Cooper noted that despite having limited preparation time with Sanheim, he is optimistic about Sanheim’s ability to integrate into the team swiftly. ‘He’s a big body, he can skate, he can play at this tempo,’ Cooper stated.

Theodore’s absence poses a challenge for Canada, as he has had an outstanding season, recording 48 points in 55 games with the Golden Knights. Theodore’s leadership and experience had made him a critical component of the Canadian team in this tournament. Teammates and fans alike expressed their concern for Theodore’s well-being.

Jack Eichel, Theodore’s teammate at Vegas, emphasized the emotional toll of the injury, saying, ‘First and foremost, I just feel for him personally. Not only having to deal with the injury, but I know how much this event meant to him.’

Canada is set to face the U.S. on Saturday, followed by a match against Finland on Monday to conclude the round-robin phase of the tournament. The team is focused on adapting and mitigating the impact of Theodore’s injury while aiming for success in the competition.