Team Canada announces replacement defenceman after Shea Theodore injury..

Team Canada announces replacement defenceman after Shea Theodore injury..

Moments ago, NHL insiders confirmed that Team Canada will be selecting Dallas Stars defenceman Thomas Harley as the team’s backup following an injury to Shea Theodore.

Theodore was hurt in the opening minutes of Canada’s game against Team Sweden, prompting questions of a possible replacement being named – with Oilers defender Evan Bouchard as a candidate.

 

Thomas Harley named Team Canada backup following Shea Theodore injury.

According to new reports from Sportsnet, Harley has been contacted and confirmed as Theodore’s replacement. He will head to join the team in Boston.

Previous reports from NHL insider Pierre LeBrun revealed that the 4 Nations Faceoff Tournament has some strange rules surrounding replacements.

Harley won’t be able to practice with the team or even be around them, but he will join the team if another player goes down with injury. In Theodore’s absence, Travis Sanheim will come into the lineup.

At this point, Team Canada had to contact players already on vacation to leave their break early and travel to Boston for a good chance they won’t play – but it’s still telling that Evan Bouchard is that far down the depth list for Team Canada.

 

The Oilers defenceman scored 82 points last season in a breakout year with Edmonton, but this season his scoring has declined as his outward reputation has taken a hit with some big time giveaways.

 

However, with some quality play this year, perhaps he can still make the Olympic roster next season. Oilers fans have seen the peak of Bouchard, and know he should be one of Canada’s 7 best defence at the tournament.