Drew Helleson Bio
Andrew Jacob Helleson, known professionally as Drew Helleson, is an American ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. Born on March 26, 2001, in Farmington, Minnesota, Helleson developed his game in the United States junior system before becoming a standout collegiate player at Boston College. Selected 47th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, he has steadily built a reputation as a reliable, defensively responsible blueliner through his play in the NCAA, the American Hockey League, and the NHL.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 205 pounds, Helleson uses his size and skating ability to excel in defensive zone coverage. After representing the United States at multiple international tournaments, he transitioned to the professional ranks and is considered a promising young defenseman for the Ducks organization. His career is still in its early stages, but he has already collected notable accolades at the collegiate and junior international levels.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Jacob Helleson was born on March 26, 2001, in Farmington, Minnesota, a suburban community south of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area. Minnesota is widely recognized as one of the most passionate hockey regions in the United States, and the state has produced a long line of NHL-caliber players. Growing up in this environment, Helleson was introduced to the sport at a young age and developed his skills on local rinks throughout his childhood and teenage years.
Helleson progressed through the Minnesota youth hockey system, eventually playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program, which is based in Plymouth, Michigan. The program is a key pipeline for top American prospects aiming to play college hockey and reach the professional ranks. His time with the national team allowed him to train and compete against the best young players in the country, helping him refine his game and gain exposure to NHL scouts.
As a teenager, Helleson earned invitations to represent the United States at international tournaments, signaling his status as one of the top American-born defensemen of his age group. His combination of size, skating, and hockey sense made him an attractive prospect for NCAA programs and NHL franchises alike.
Path to Hockey
Helleson committed to Boston College, one of the most storied programs in college hockey, where he would spend the next three seasons developing his game at the highest level of NCAA competition. Hockey East, the conference in which Boston College competes, is widely regarded as one of the toughest and most competitive leagues in collegiate hockey, providing a strong test for any young defenseman.
During the 2020–21 season, Helleson made an immediate impact with the Eagles, recording four goals and 11 assists in 22 games. His steady two-way play earned him the Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman award, along with selections to the First Team All-Hockey East and the Second Team AHCA All-American squad. These honors confirmed his standing as one of the premier defensemen in college hockey.
In his junior 2021–22 campaign, Helleson posted career-best marks of 21 assists and 25 points through 32 games, showcasing improved offensive production while maintaining his defensive responsibilities. His performance at Boston College, combined with his international experience, helped solidify his reputation as a complete two-way defenseman ready for the professional game.
Drew Helleson Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Helleson was selected 47th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, a significant milestone that reflected his potential as a future NHL defenseman. Rather than turning professional immediately, he chose to continue his development at Boston College, a decision that allowed him to mature physically and refine his game against top college competition.
His first two seasons with the Eagles were productive, and by the end of his sophomore year, he had established himself as a leader on the Boston College blue line. His combination of poise, positioning, and physicality made him one of the most reliable defensemen in the Hockey East conference and helped him earn multiple postseason honors.
Boston College Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Helleson’s breakout came during the 2020–21 season, when he was a key contributor to the Eagles’ defensive corps. Recording four goals and 11 assists in 22 games, he was recognized with the Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman award, a prestigious honor that highlights the conference’s top defender. He was also named to the First Team All-Hockey East and the Second Team AHCA All-American team.
Building on that success, Helleson’s junior season in 2021–22 saw him reach new offensive heights, finishing with 21 assists and 25 points in 32 games. His improved puck-moving ability and poise under pressure made him an effective power-play contributor, and his steady defensive play continued to draw praise from coaches and scouts across the league.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2022–Present)
On March 14, 2022, the Colorado Avalanche traded Helleson’s rights, along with a 2023 second-round draft pick, to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Josh Manson. The very next day, Helleson ended his collegiate career by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ducks. He was promptly assigned to Anaheim’s AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, to finish out the 2021–22 season and continue his professional development.
Helleson returned to the AHL for the 2022–23 season but was recalled by the Ducks on April 9, 2023. That same night, he made his NHL debut against the Colorado Avalanche, the team that originally drafted him. Three days later, on April 12, he scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks in a 3–2 loss, a memorable milestone in his young career.
Helleson was assigned to San Diego to begin the 2023–24 season, where he appeared in 59 games for the Gulls, scoring 4 goals and 18 points. He returned to the AHL to start the 2024–25 season and was recalled along with Jansen Harkins on November 13. He made his 2024–25 NHL debut on November 15, recording his first multi-point game with assists 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 with the Ducks on July 19, 2025. The deal keeps him under contract through the 2026–27 season and reflects the organization’s confidence in his continued growth.
Driving Style and Strengths
Helleson is widely recognized for his defensive reliability, positional awareness, and physical presence on the blue line. His 6-foot-3 frame allows him to win battles along the boards and clear the front of the net with authority, while his smooth skating helps him transition the puck out of the defensive zone. Coaches have praised his hockey IQ and his ability to make smart, low-risk plays under pressure, qualities that make him a steady partner in all situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Some of the defining moments of Helleson’s early career include his NHL debut against the Avalanche on April 9, 2023, his first NHL goal three days later against the Canucks, and his first multi-point NHL game on November 15, 2024, against the Red Wings. He has also represented the United States at multiple international tournaments, earning a bronze medal at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships and a gold medal at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Drew Helleson Career Wins
While Drew Helleson’s professional career is still developing, he has already accumulated notable achievements at the collegiate and international levels. His Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman award, All-American selections, and medal-winning performances on the international stage represent some of the most significant accomplishments of his career to date.
Collegiate and International Highlights
At Boston College, Helleson was a First Team All-Hockey East selection in 2021, the same year he earned Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman honors and a Second Team AHCA All-American nod. Internationally, he helped the United States win a bronze medal at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships and a gold medal at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he recorded two goals and two assists in seven games.
Other Wins and Performances
In the AHL, Helleson has been a consistent contributor for the San Diego Gulls, developing his game in a top professional minor league. While he has not yet captured a major professional championship, his steady progression through the Ducks system suggests he is on track for an extended NHL career.
Drew Helleson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Drew Helleson’s family background and upbringing are not widely documented in public sources. Born and raised in Farmington, Minnesota, he grew up in a region with deep hockey roots, which likely influenced his early development in the sport. Further information about his parents and siblings has not been publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Public information regarding Drew Helleson’s personal life, including marital status and family details, is limited. He has focused much of his early adulthood on his hockey career, progressing through the U.S. National Team Development Program, Boston College, and the Anaheim Ducks organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been significant for Drew Helleson, beginning with his assignment to the San Diego Gulls to start the 2024–25 season. After a strong start in the AHL, he was recalled by the Anaheim Ducks on November 13, marking an important step in his return to the NHL. On November 15, 2024, he made his season debut and recorded his first career multi-point game with two assists in a 6–4 win over the Detroit Red Wings, signaling his growing offensive confidence at the top level.
In July 2025, Helleson secured his long-term future with the Ducks organization by signing a two-year, $2.2 million contract extension, avoiding arbitration as a restricted free agent. The agreement runs through the 2026–27 season and reflects the franchise’s belief in his potential as a future contributor on the Anaheim blue line.
Looking ahead, Helleson is expected to continue competing for a regular role with the Ducks while splitting time between Anaheim and San Diego as needed. With his combination of size, defensive awareness, and offensive upside, he remains a promising young defenseman with an opportunity to establish himself as a full-time NHL player in the seasons to come.