AJ Thelen Signs with the Prince Albert Raiders

[Thrillhouse]

The Prince Albert Raiders are pleased to announce that 19 year-old defenceman AJ Thelen of Savage, Minnesota has signed a player and education contract committing him to play with the Raiders in the Western Hockey League for the 2005-06 season. Thelen was selected by the Raiders in the 2002 WHL Bantam Draft, in the 3rd round, 49th overall.

In the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Thelen (6'3", 210 lbs.) was selected in the first round, 12th overall by the Minnesota Wild.

Thelen attended Michigan State University (NCAA) playing Division 1 with the Spartans. In his rookie year (03-04), as a 17 year-old, Thelen had 11 goals and 18 assists in 41 games and was the highest scoring defenceman in NCAA Division 1, 4th overall in Spartan scoring. Thelen was named the Best Offensive Defenceman in the CCHA, was named Second team All American (the only rookie named All American), named CCHA All Rookie and CCHA All League, becoming only the third player in Michigan State history to be named All Rookie and All League in the same season.

In 04-05 Thelen appeared in 33 games with 11 assists before leaving Michigan State in February.

"We are thrilled to get a player like AJ to join our program," commented Raider General Manager Donn Clark. "As a 19 year-old defenceman we expect him to come in and be a solid contributor to our team for the 05-06 season."

Thelen and his parents were in Prince Albert during the 2005 playoffs, attending the 3rd and 4th games of the series between the Raiders and Medicine Hat Tigers.

"We are very happy for AJ that he is going to a place like Prince Albert," commented his father, Mark Thelen. "We think Prince Albert is a great place for him to play to help him further his career in hockey. We found that Prince Albert was very similar to the area where we live (Minnesota) in the terrain, town and how friendly the people are."

AJ Thelen, who was unavailable for comment as he is working at a hockey school in Minnesota, is expected in Prince Albert in late August in time for the Raiders training camp which starts Friday, September 2.

Thelen will join Kyle Chipchura (18th overall - Montreal) as 2004 NHL First Round selections on the 2005-06 edition of the Raiders.

[North man]

Maybe be good for him considering he hade a pretty bad year if u look at his stats, 0 goals and 11 assist or something like that. He can only get better and he will probely play alot in Prince Albert and develop.

[jkidd]

i sure hope he gets better in the whl before joining the Wild in year or two. because right now there is no way he could play at the nhl level