Waiting for Teemu Selanne, Ducks’ kids condition in camp

As the Ducks continue to wait to hear from their oldest player, they concluded a conditioning camp for their teenaged draft picks and others Monday.

“The whole idea of this camp is to let the younger players understand what it takes to be a pro, and for us, it’s a chance to teach them in the idiosyncrasies like body and stick positioning and pivoting and hope they retain it,” Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said.

“We consider all of the players here potential players for us.”

Boudreau said he and the Ducks are waiting upon the future plans of the team’s all-time scoring leader, Teemu Selanne, who will likely inform the team by early next month if he intends to play this coming season.

“I’ve heard nothing,” Boudreau said.

Meanwhile, the coach has met and chatted with top prospects including the team’s No. 1 draft pick, defenseman Shea Theodore, and 19-year-old goaltender John Gibson, who sat out Monday’s scrimmage with an undisclosed injury.

Theodore, who’ll turn 18 on August 3, flashed impressive passing and puck awareness in Monday’s session said he’ll go to minor league Seattle next season.

For now, he’s consulted with Ducks’ strength and conditioning staff to construct a plan to add 15 to 20 pounds of bulk and muscle.

“I can see how hard I have to work, and how big and strong I have to get,” Theodore said. “I’m well on my way, and I’m not going to stop until I get there. I want to maintain my strength and agility and not put on too much weight.”

The offense-minded defenseman says his vision, skating and power-play strength remain assets in scrimmages against older players.

“I can handle myself,” Theodore said.

Boudreau said there are similarities between Theodore and current Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler.

Gibson, who led Team USA to a bronze medal in May’s World Championships, said he’s uncertain if he’ll make the Ducks’ roster with Jonas Hiller and Viktor Fasth on the team.

“It’s out of my control, all I can do is just play my game,” Gibson said. “I like to play. I don’t like to sit and watch. It helps to have success. It boosts your confidence.

“No one can be satisfied. There’s someone always ready to take your job.”

Gibson could be that guy in the Ducks’ case, and training camp starting in September will be interesting in regard to what the team – so high on Gibson’s skill – does with him with Hiller entering his final season before free agency.

“He’s a confident kid who has every right to be confident,” Boudreau said.

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