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Fantasy Summary

Puck rushing defenseman with outstanding skating ability. His well-rounded games gives him potential as a top-four defender in the NHL.


Observations

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June 2025 – Zellweger had a disappointing season for fantasy owners, who expected him to take the next step towards becoming a top fantasy asset. Instead, if anything, he took a small step back, managing just 20 points and playing just 62 games amidst some healthy scratches. He also let Jackson Lacombe leap over him on the depth chart and establish himself as a PP stalwart, making things more difficult for Zellweger to get a foothold there. but the end of the season, Zellweger’s PPTOI had dropped from three minutes per game to two, paired up with Jacob Trouba and seeing more of a shutdown role (though not for faceoffs – he was still sheltered for those with offensive zone starts only). He’s only 21, but if you were expecting quick progress and results, think again. – Dobber

March 2024 – Zellweger is proving to be a very talented offensive defensemen as he has 37 points in 44 AHL games with the San Diego Gulls this season. He is rocking the 1PP in San Diego. Zellweger also saw some NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks, where he put up three points in 17 games. He was then sent down to work on his struggles defensively. Zellweger’s defensive game continues to need some work, but with the development in San Diego, there is no doubt he will have a roster spot at the NHL level next season. David Calabretta 

July 2023 – Zellweger has solidified himself as a top own in keeper leagues among defense prospects. He finished second in WHL scoring amongst defense, with 80 points in 55 games, but finished first is points per game at 1.45. Zellweger began the year with the Everette Silvertips, played at the World Juniors for Canada again, and finished the year with the Kamloops Blazers. With the Silvertips he had 1.22 ppg but for the Blazers he had 1.63 ppg, as he played for one of the powerhouse teams. In the playoffs Zellweger hit another level as he finished second in scoring for the league with 29 points in 14 games as the Blazers fell in round three to the stacked Seattle Thunderbirds team. The Blazers were also the first eliminated in the Memorial Cup, which is never fun as the host team. Zellweger was voted an all-star defenseman in the Memorial Cup and he was also awarded the 2022-23 WHL Defenseman of the Year. He is likely to make the Ducks out of camp but there is a small chance he starts out in the AHL. Pat Quinn

December 2022 – After 11 points in seven games for Team Canada last year at the World Juniors, Zellweger is back to represent his country and will look to help them win back-to-back golds. Personally, his stock has skyrocketed since being drafted and will be a main component to Canada’s success for the 2023 tournament.

July 2021 – Zellweger was selected in the second round, 34th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2021 NHL Draft. Nick Richard

July 2021 – Zellweger was a force in the shortened WHL campaign, racking up 13 points in 11 contests with the Everett Silvertips, but his real breakout came at the U18 World Championships where he put up eight points in seven games on the way to a gold medal with Canada.

Zellweger’s game is built on his exceptional skating ability. His stride is clean and efficient, his four-way mobility is elite, and he loves to activate on the rush. He recognizes lanes on the weak side and makes himself available in transition to push play in a positive direction for his team, but his in-zone offensive game still needs refinement. His skating allows him to maintain tight gaps in defensive transition and he can recover if an attacking forward gets a step on him. Zellweger is a fine puck-mover but improving his processing speed on retrievals and breakouts will really unlock his full potential as a top-four NHL defenseman. Nick Richard

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 7.0
NHL Certainty 9.2
Country CAN
Position D
Roster Type NHL
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth September 10, 2003
Height 5‘10”
Weight 187 lbs
Drafted 2021 Round 2; Overall: 34
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Stats – Frozen Tools – Profile on FT

SeasonLeagueTeamGPGAPTSPIM+/-
2024-2025NHLAnaheim Ducks6271320201
2023-2024NHLAnaheim Ducks262794-6
2023-2024AHLSan Diego Gulls4412253716-1
2022-2023WJC-20Canada U20706640
2022-2023WHLEverett Silvertips2310182812-5
2022-2023WHLKamloops Blazers322230522835
2022-2023Memorial CupKamloops Blazers41342-5
2021-2022WJC-20Canada U2072911214
2021-2022WHLEverett Silvertips551464782345
2020-2021WJC-18Canada U18717828
2020-2021WHLEverett Silvertips112111325
2019-2020WHLEverett Silvertips5821012820
2019-2020WHC-17Canada Red U17502220
2018-2019WHLEverett Silvertips100000
2018-2019CWGTeam Alberta611240
2018-2019CSSHL U18OHA Edmonton U18 Prep3581927220
2017-2018WSI U15Upstate Kings U155213120
2017-2018CSSHL U15OHA Edmonton U15 Prep30102232160
2016-2017AMBHLFort Saskatchewan Ranger U15 AAA363101320
2014-2015WSI U12Western Canada Selects U12714520

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