A. J. Thelen

Anthony James "A. J." Thelen (born March 11, 1986) is an American former 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.

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, 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

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 2001–02 Shattuck–Saint Mary's AA Midget 51 22 17 39 42 — — — — — 2002–03 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP 20 4 1 5 8 — — — — — 2002–03 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2002–03 U.S. NTDP U18 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 — — — — — ECHL totals 210 24 83 107 181 33 4 10 14 28

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