A. J. Thelen

A. J. Thelen
Born	March 11, 1986 Savage, MN, USA
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb)
Position	Defense
Shot	Left
Played for	Houston Aeros Kalamazoo Wings Rochester Americans Texas Wildcatters
NHL Draft	12th overall, 2004 Minnesota Wild
Playing career	2006–2011

Anthony James "A. J." Thelen^[1] (born March 11, 1986) is an American retired professional ice hockey defenseman. He was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, selected 12th overall.

Playing career

After playing for the U.S. National Under-18 Development Program in 2002–03, Thelen joined Michigan State University to play college hockey. After his freshman season in 2003–04, he was drafted in the first round, 12th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild. Following his sophomore season with Michigan State, however, he was dismissed by the league for rules infractions.^[2]

Accordingly, he joined the major junior Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Prince Albert Raiders. Upon completing his first season in the WHL, Thelen was assigned by the Wild to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Houston Aeros, where he made his professional debut, playing in one game. The next season, in 2006–07, after missing some time due to a knee sprain, Thelen was traded by the Raiders to the Vancouver Giants, in exchange for defenseman John Flatters and prospect Nathan Deck,^[2] where he captured the 2007 Memorial Cup championship with the Giants as tournament hosts.

Unsigned by the Wild out of major junior, Thelen turned pro in the ECHL with the Texas Wildcatters, tallying 35 points in his rookie season.

In 2008–09, Thelen joined the Florida Everblades. During the 2009-10 ECHL season, Thelen was named to the ECHL All-Star Team and took part in the skills competition. Thelen won the Hardest Shot Competition with a shot of 101.9 mph.^[1] On February 13, 2010, Thelen would suffer another concussion, the third of his career.^[3] He attempted to come back a week later, but ended up sitting out the rest of the season due to post-concussion syndrome.

On September 17, 2010, Thelen signed with the Kalamazoo Wings, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's New York Islanders^[4]

With back issues and a history of concussions, Thelen retired from hockey after the completion of the 2010-11 ECHL season at age 25.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002–03	USNTDP	NAHL		44	2	7	9	72		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Michigan State University	CCHA		42	11	18	29	50		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Michigan State University	CCHA		33	0	11	11	48		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Prince Albert Raiders	WHL		72	13	23	36	79		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Houston Aeros	AHL		1	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Prince Albert Raiders	WHL		23	4	8	12	53		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Vancouver Giants	WHL		30	4	5	9	35		22	1	7	8	18
2007–08	Texas Wildcatters	ECHL		63	7	28	35	70		4	0	1	1	2
2008–09	Florida Everblades	ECHL		34	3	14	17	27		10	0	1	1	14
2009–10	Florida Everblades	ECHL		48	8	18	26	52		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Rochester Americans	AHL		9	0	0	0	6		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Kalamazoo Wings	ECHL		65	6	23	29	32		19	4	8	12	12
AHL totals				10	0	0	0	8		—	—	—	—	—

Awards and honors

Award	Year
All-CCHA Rookie Team	2003-04
All-CCHA First Team	2003-04
CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman	2003-04
AHCA West Second-Team All-American	2003–04
CHL Memorial Cup	2007

References

1. "K-Wings Bolster Blue Line And Add Grit Up Front". WingsStadium.com. 2009-09-17. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
2. "Giants refuse to stand pat, grab Wild prospect". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
3. "Injury Updates On Defensemen A.J. Thelen, Ryan Van Buskirk, As Well As Center Mike Bayrack". NaplesNews.com. 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
4. "Former Florida Everblades defense and Minnesota Wild first round draft pick A.J. Thelen signs with Kalamazoo Wings". NaplesNews.com. 2009-09-17. Retrieved 2010-09-17.

External links

• A. J. Thelen's career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• A. J. Thelen's career statistics at EliteProspects.com