Getting to Know New Ducks Prospect Drew Helleson

At this time last week, Drew Helleson was eager and waiting. The 20-year-old defenseman, then a highly touted prospect of the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche, knew it was a possibility, maybe even a likelihood, that he could become a key piece of a trade deadline deal.
So when his phone rang on Monday, the Boston College junior was ready.

"I was just excited to get the opportunity I did," Helleson said. "It seemed like the Ducks really wanted me, so I couldn't be happier with how it worked out."
Helleson was acquired by Anaheim
from Colorado along with a 2023 second-round pick in exchange for veteran defenseman Josh Manson, headlining the return in Pat Verbeek's first trade as the Ducks' general manager.
Less than 24 hours later, he signed his first contract, a three-year deal which begins next season. In the meantime, he's expected join the San Diego Gulls of the AHL, getting his first taste of professional hockey before competing for a permanent job in the fall.
"It's been a crazy last couple days," Helleson admitted. "It's a dream come true to get this opportunity."
Helleson immediately becomes one of the top prospects in the Ducks system, and as a 6-3 defender known for his two-way play, he offers a unique skillset to Anaheim's existing group of blueliners.
"It's about being hard to play against defensively and playing against other teams' best players," Helleson said. "Breaking pucks out quickly, too, and getting pucks going north. I also like to contribute offensively when I can, picking and choosing times to join the rush. That's what I hope to bring to the next level."
Verbeek said he had scouted Helleson over the past three seasons and was particularly impressed by his offensive growth throughout his junior season in Boston.
"He's 6-foot-3, a defenseman who can play physical, but I consider him a very smart player in the sense that he moves pucks really well," Verbeek said. "This year, I've seen more offense at of him than in prior seasons. His game has really progressed well over the last year and a half."
Helleson joins the Ducks after three years at BC under the tutelage of legendary head coach and five-time national champion Jerry York.
"They were great to me ever since I stepped foot on campus," Helleson said. "I learned a lot from Coach York, [assistant coach Brendan] Buckley and [assistant coach Mike] Ayers. I wouldn't be here if they didn't give me the opportunity they did. I can't thank those three enough."
Helleson, who lived in Manhattan Beach while playing minor hockey for a couple seasons, now comes to Orange County to join a prospect pool with a few familiar faces, including former World Juniors teammates Trevor Zegras, Sam Colangelo, Jackson Lacombe and Henry Thrun.
"He's smart and skilled," Zegras said. "He always makes the right play and is always in the right spot. He's got the mix of offense and defense...You can put him all situations, power play, penalty kill. I think he'll be a difference-maker down the road.
"He's one of my good buddies and I told him if he gets a chance to play, I have an extra bed for him."
Said Helleson, "It's a big bonus when you make a big jump like this to have a few familiar faces that make that next step more comfortable. I'll be going through it with guys I've played with and am comfortable with so it's definitely nice having them around."
Helleson plans to make his cross-country trip to California this week and said he's looking forward to getting to know his new teammates and coaches, but just don't expect him to be as chatty as his friend.
"I love to be around the guys and make everyone laugh a little bit, lighten the mood," he said, then added with a laugh, "But I'm not as loud as Z."