Drew Helleson

Andrew Jacob Helleson (born March 26, 2001) is an American ice hockey player who is a defenseman for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Helleson was drafted 47th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL entry draft.

Playing career During the 2020–21 season, Helleson recorded four goals and 11 assists in 22 games for Boston College. Following the season he was named Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman, First Team All-Hockey East and Second Team AHCA All-American. In his junior 2021–22 season with the Eagles, he posted career-best marks of 21 assists and 25 points through 32 games.

Helleson was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the second round, 47th overall, in the 2019 NHL entry draft. The next day Helleson ended his collegiate career by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ducks. He was assigned to the Ducks American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Diego Gulls for the remainder of the season. Helleson returned to the AHL for the 2022–23 season but was recalled on April 9, 2023 by the Ducks. Helleson made his NHL debut for the Ducks that night, in a game against the Colorado Avalanche. He scored his first NHL goal against Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks in a 3–2 loss on April 12.

Helleson was assigned to San Diego to begin the 2023–24 season. He appeared in 59 games for the Gulls, scoring 4 goals and 18 points. He was assigned to the Gulls at the beginning of the 2024–25 season. He was recalled along with Jansen Harkins on November 13. He made his NHL season debut on November 15, marking his first multi-point game, assisting on goals by Cutter Gauthier and Ross Johnston in a 6–4 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

As a restricted free agent, Helleson avoided arbitration after agreeing to a two-year, $2.2 million contract extension on July 19, 2025.

International play

Helleson represented the United States at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded three assists in seven games and won a bronze medal. He represented the United States at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he recorded two goals and two assists in seven games and won a gold medal. On January 13, 2022, Helleson was named to Team USA's roster to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2017–18 U.S. National Development Team USHL 34 2 16 18 14 — — — — — 2018–19 U.S. National Development Team USHL 28 4 7 11 18 — — — — — 2019–20 Boston College HE 28 1 5 6 12 — — — — — 2020–21 Boston College HE 22 4 11 15 8 — — — — — 2021–22 Boston College HE 32 4 21 25 30 — — — — — 2021–22 San Diego Gulls AHL 17 0 2 2 4 2 0 2 2 2 2022–23 San Diego Gulls AHL 65 5 13 18 59 — — — — — 2022–23 Anaheim Ducks NHL 3 1 0 1 2 — — — — — 2023–24 San Diego Gulls AHL 59 4 14 18 44 — — — — — 2024–25 San Diego Gulls AHL 12 0 0 0 14 — — — — — 2024–25 Anaheim Ducks NHL 56 4 9 13 47 — — — — — 2025–26 Anaheim Ducks NHL 60 2 13 15 20 8 0 1 1 2NHL totals 119 7 22 29 69 8 0 1 1 2

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2019 United States U18 7 0 3 3 0 2021 United States WJC 7 2 2 4 2 2022 United States OG 5th 3 0 1 1 0 Junior totals 14 2 5 7 2 Senior totals 3 0 1 1 0

Awards and honors Award Year RefCollege Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman 2021 All Hockey East First Team 2021 AHCA East Second Team All-American 2021