Vegas Golden Knights: Shea Theodore treated for cancer
By Ant Barberio
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore had a scary summer, as he received a cancer diagnosis. He’s mostly over it now, though.
Two seasons ago, the NHL was united behind Brian Boyle. The then New Jersey Devils forward announced that he not only had cancer but was determined to seek treatment and play through it. As the calendar begins to turn on the 2019-2020 season, it was Shea Theodore of the Vegas Golden Knights who received the unfortunate news.
Right before the opening of training camp, the 24-year-old defenseman announced that during the offseason he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
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Theodore’s cancer was first detected during a failed drug test during the World Juniors where a hormone, frequented found in a combination of performance-enhancing drugs, was detected.
Theodore also explained that he had undergone surgery, and is expected to make a full recovery. Still, no specific timeline for a return to the Golden Knights has been announced.
Theodore was diagnosed with the same type of cancer that Phil Kessel had back during his rookie season with the Boston Bruins.
He went through treatment during the regular season, but eventually returned to the lineup and was the league’s Masterton Trophy for perseverance in 2007.
Interestingly, Theodore writes in his piece in The Players Tribune announcing his illness, that he shares an agent with Kessel. It was his agent who was able to guide him through the process of the failed drug test and follow up doctor’s visit. Brian Boyle in his similar battle won the Masterton trophy after the 2018-2018 season.
The important thing is that the outlook looks promising for Theodore. While the scare was obviously not welcomed, it’d early detection lead to quicker treatment. Theodore, like those who faced similar circumstances before them, has put his sights towards his return to the game he loves.
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Although no time table has been announced for a return, Kessel’s mid-season diagnosis and surgery kept him out of the lineup for 11 games. Theodore in his announcement said his diagnosis was three months ago. All signs seem to point to Theodore coming back sooner than later, although he still needs some well-deserved rest.