Stars shine draft spotlight on valley player
The Stars aligned with Duncan’s Alex (Bear) Theriau Saturday in Los Angeles.
But a whirlwind trip to California had nothing to do with Hollywood movie or TV stars, but Stars of the National Hockey League variety from Dallas.
All young hockey players dream about being drafted into the NHL and it became reality for Theriau, 18, at the Staples Centre when the Stars selected him with the 109th pick in the 2010 entry draft.
Defenseman Theriau has played the last season and a half for the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips.
Alex and dad Jeff left the valley Friday morning and were back home by the wee hours of Sunday morning after enjoying all aspects of the draft atmosphere reserved for the select few.
Pre-draft rankings had Theriau around the 77th overall position for North American skaters, making him a potential fourth-round rink when the Europeans were added into the mix. And that’s exactly where he wound up being selected — right in the middle of the fourth round.
Theriau described the proceedings as “exciting’’ and “a little bit anxious when it was getting around to where I was projected to be going.’’
“Bear was asked by his agent that he should be there,’’ explained Jeff. “It was looking pretty good for a pick in the middle rounds.’’
Since he was 14 and a second-year bantam, Alex has been represented by Rick Valette of Octagon sports management, an organization that includes former NHL goalie Mike Liut.
When the big moment came, the Theriaus were almost caught off-guard while in conversation with agents and other players and their families sitting around them.
“It was crazy,’’ said Alex. “We were in mid-sentence in a conversation and we heard ‘Alex Theriau.’’’
At that time, Alex added, there was “that release of tension, just waiting to go. I just jumped up, hugged everybody and shook hands.’’
Unlike the first-round selections the previous day who step onto the draft stage, those picked in subsequent rounds head to team tables on the floor to meet management and staff.
General manager Joe Nieuwendyk and head coach Marc Crawford were among the Stars’ star-studded brass to welcome Theriau into the team’s family.
Theriau was hoping to be selected by a Western Conference team and feels the Stars will be a good fit.
Pre-draft hype had Theriau potentially going to Calgary, New Jersey, Phoenix and even the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.
But the Stars bolstered their blueline for the future by making Theriau one of three defensemen they selected with their five picks.
Mike Heika, who reports on the Stars, calls Theriau “a smooth skater’’ who could possibly develop into a top-end player down the road.
The sky’s clearly the limit for Theriau, but it’s only the first step in potentially landing a pro contract.
“I really encouraged Bear to take in as much as he could and have as much fun as he could with this,’’ said Jeff.
The same applied for dad.
“Obviously, having your son’s name called, the whole experience was really surreal,’’ he said.
Alex only started to skate at the age of seven so he’s been a fast-bloomer in many respects.
“To see that whole thing culminate with being drafted Saturday afternoon, it’s special,’’ said Jeff.
Alex actually played baseball for a while, but gave up the sport in favour of hockey because it was too competitive.
He’s clearly found that to be the other way around since.
Draft day is one Alex would have loved to share with his mom LeeAune. She died at the age of 36 from stomach cancer when Alex was still in kindergarten.
Jeff paid tribute to those who paved the way during Alex’s formative years. Some weren’t even his regular coaches but lent a helping hand through tryouts for junior teams.
“There’s a lot of people when I look back at it,’’ he said. “I owe a big thanks to them.’’
It didn’t take long for Alex to make his mark in hockey after he started playing.
An age change immediately sent Alex to the Cowichan Valley peewee AAA ranks for two seasons after one year with the Cowichan Valley atom reps.
Theriau only spent one more season playing in the valley as a member of the bantam AAA squad before completing his bantam eligiblity with a powerhouse team at the Burnaby Winter Club.
After one season in the B.C. Major Midget League, Theriau made the jump to the Western Hockey League with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. He was playing for Team Pacific in the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge — with the main venue in Port Alberni and games in Duncan, among other island locations — during the early part of 2009 when traded to the Silvertips.
Theriau has thrived in Everett under the direction of head coach Craig Hartsburg, a former prominent NHL defenseman. He loves the organization and the winning atmosphere.
“It was awesome,’’ said Theriau. “We wound up tying for first place in the Western Conference.
“We went from being a mediocre team the year before to all of a sudden going on a 14-game win streak.’’
“The atmosphere in that rink is really outstanding,’’ added Jeff. “They’re a very special group of people in Everett.’’
At the same time, Alex’s play has blossomed at precisely the right time that generated plenty of attention from scouts all last season.
“Bear’s game with and without the puck has really taken off,’’ said Jeff.
“It’s not easy as a 16-year-old coming into the WHL as a defenseman. These kids at 16 years old don’t get the ice time they’re used to seeing as kids growing up through minor hockey.’’
Alex doesn’t put a huge emphasis on points. He had four goals and 20 assists for 24 points in 70 regular-season games.
“If you just play your best every single night and you’re involved in the play, the points will come,’’ said Theriau.
“I’d like to be just a bit more physical. The more practice I get in junior, the easier it’ll be.’’
He’ll be taking steps toward that goal this summer.
“There’s no such thing as an off-season anymore,’’ Theriau said. “I’ll probably be in the gym 5-6 days a week all summer.’’
At six-foot-two and 192 pounds, Theriau has the size that could make him a solid NHLer in due time.
Theriau knows it’ll take some further seasoning to prepare him for the big leagues.
“Realistically, I know I’ll be probably in Everett for another two years,’’ he said.
The Stars have two years until June 1, 2012 to sign him. In the meantime, he’s off to Dallas Wednesday for an orientation session until July 7 to hobnob with club officials and learn more about the workings of the organization.
Well-wishers have continued pouring in messages, emails, balloons and other gifts to the Theriau household in Maple Bay.
“It pushes you harder to be a better player and develop more every single day,’’ Alex said.
© Copyright 2007 Cowichan News Leader Pictorial