Troy Stecher Explained

Troy Stecher
Birth Date:7 April 1994
Birth Place:Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lb:184
Position:Defence
Shoots:Right
League:NHL
Team:Edmonton Oilers
Former Teams:Vancouver Canucks
Detroit Red Wings
Los Angeles Kings
Arizona Coyotes
Calgary Flames
Ntl Team:CAN
Draft:Undrafted
Career Start:2016

Troy Stecher (;[1] born April 7, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames.

Undrafted into the NHL, Stecher played for the University of North Dakota for three seasons. In his last season, he was honoured as a Second-Team All-American West, All-NCHC Second Team, and NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year.

Playing career

Amateur

Stecher began playing hockey at the age of six with the Richmond Minor Hockey Association. After graduating from Alfred B Dixon Elementary, Stecher attended South Delta Secondary School due to their hockey academy while still playing in bantam hockey.[2] Despite being selected in the 2009 WHL Draft by the Portland Winterhawks, Stecher chose instead to play with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL to better develop as a player.[3]

In his second year with the Vees, Stecher was named an Assistant Captain[4] as he helped guide the Vees to the national junior ‘A’ Championship.[5] Although Stecher was loaned to Team Canada West for the 2011 World Junior A Challenge, he still registered a career-high 42 points in 53 games during the regular season. While playing in the RBC Cup, Stecher recorded 10 points in 15 games and was named the Royal Bank Cup's top defenceman.[6]

On June 28, 2012, Stecher was named team captain for the 2012–13 season.[6] It was during this season, his final year with the Penticton Vees, that Stecher committed to playing NCAA hockey for the University of North Dakota.[5] At the conclusion of the 2012–13 season, Stecher was named to the BCHL First-Team All-Star[7] and awarded the Top Defenceman Trophy for the Interior.[8]

Collegiate

Stecher played three seasons of college hockey with the University of North Dakota.

In his freshman year at North Dakota, Stecher played in all 42 games, the only freshman to do so.[9] He ended the season with 11 points in 42 games.

In his last year of draft eligibility, Stecher was passed over in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, the third straight draft he was not selected in.[3] As such, Stecher returned to North Dakota for his sophomore season. During a December game against the Lake Superior State Lakers, Stecher was injured and was expected to miss 6–8 weeks to recover.[10] After missing eight games, Stecher returned for a 3–2 loss against Nebraska Omaha on January 30.[11] He ended the season with 13 points in 34 games.

In his last year at North Dakota, Stecher set a career high with 29 points in 43 games. He was named a Second-Team All-American West at the conclusion of the 2015–16 season[12] and selected for the All-NCHC Second Team. He was also named a finalist for NCHC Defenseman of the Year and NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year,[9] winning a national title with North Dakota. Following his outstanding third season, the Vancouver Canucks signed him to a two-year entry-level contract on April 13, 2016.[13]

Professional

Vancouver Canucks

Stecher was a late cut from the Canucks' 2016 training camp and was sent to their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets to start the season.[14] After playing in the Comets' first four games and tallying an assist, he was recalled to the Canucks on October 24, 2016.[15] He made his NHL debut the next day, logging 22:35 minutes of ice time in a 3–0 loss to the Ottawa Senators.[16] As a result, Stecher became the first player born and raised in Richmond, British Columbia to play for the Canucks.[2] His first career assist and point came on a Daniel Sedin goal on November 5 in a 6–3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.[17] In the same game, he was hit by Leafs enforcer Matt Martin in the 3rd period and a line brawl proceeded.[18]

He scored his first NHL goal against Kari Lehtonen on November 13 in a 5–4 overtime victory against the Dallas Stars.[19] On March 26, 2017 he left a game against the Winnipeg Jets with an upper-body injury due to a fall into the boards after a collision with a Jets player.[20] [21] Stecher healed well enough to play on the Friday game.

During the Canucks 2017–18 season opener, Stecher recorded his first NHL fight against Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Strome.[22] On October 24, 2017 the Canucks announced via Twitter that Stecher would be out 4-to-6 weeks with a knee injury that was caused in a game against the Detroit Red Wings.[23] He returned to the Canucks lineup on November 24, 2017, after missing 14 games.[24] Stecher concluded the regular season with 11 points in 68 games. On July 20, 2018, Stecher signed a two year, $4.65 million deal with the Canucks.[25]

Detroit Red Wings

After not being tendered a qualifying offer by the Canucks, Stecher became a unrestricted free agent. On October 10, 2020, Stecher signed a two-year, $3.4 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings.[26]

Los Angeles Kings

On March 20, 2022, in the final year of his contract, Stecher was dealt by Detroit to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2022 seventh-round draft pick.[27] Stecher tallied 1 assist through the remaining 13 regular season games with the Kings. Drawing into the lineup for the playoffs in a first-round encounter with the Edmonton Oilers, Stecher recorded 2 goals and 4 points in just 4 games.

Arizona Coyotes

As a free agent from the Kings, Stecher was signed to a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Arizona Coyotes on July 13, 2022.[28]

Calgary Flames

On March 3, 2023, Stecher, along with Nick Ritchie, was traded to the Calgary Flames from the Coyotes for Connor Mackey and Brett Ritchie.[29] [30] In playing out the remainder of the season with the Flames, Stecher increased his offensive output in notching 3 goals and 7 points through 20 games, however was unable to help Calgary qualify for the playoffs.

Return to Arizona

As a free agent, Stecher left the Flames and returned for a second stint with the Coyotes by signing a one-year, $1.1 million contract on July 1, 2023.[31]

Edmonton Oilers

On March 7, 2024, Stecher, along with a 2027 seventh-round pick, was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick.[32]

After recording two assists in seven regular season games, the Oilers signed Stecher to a two-year extension with an AAV of $787,500.[33]

International play

On April 29, 2019, Stecher was selected to make his international debut after he was named to the Team Canada roster for the 2019 IIHF World Championship, held in Slovakia.[34] He helped Canada progress through to the playoff rounds before losing the final to Finland to finish with the Silver Medal on May 26, 2019.[35] Stecher finished the tournament posting one goal and two points in ten games from the blueline.

Stecher won the Gold Medal with Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, beating Finland 3-2 in overtime on June 6, 2021.[36] He had an assist on the game-winning overtime goal in Canada's quarterfinal match against Russia, finishing the tournament with two points in ten games.[37] [38]

Personal life

Stecher was born in Richmond, British Columbia to parents Tracey and Peter Stecher alongside his two older siblings.[2]

He has a Bernese Mountain Dog named Phoebe.[39]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10Greater Vancouver Canadians38427312251126
2010–11Penticton Vees54515204792356
2011–12Penticton VeesBCHL5353742421528108
2012–13Penticton VeesBCHL5283947401506610
2013–14U. of North DakotaNCHC42291114
2014–15U. of North DakotaNCHC343101322
2015–16U. of North DakotaNCHC 438212937
2016–17Utica CometsAHL40114
2016–17Vancouver CanucksNHL713212425
2017–18Vancouver CanucksNHL681101135
2018–19Vancouver CanucksNHL782212332
2019–20Vancouver CanucksNHL6951217321721310
2020–21Detroit Red WingsNHL44381112
2021–22Detroit Red WingsNHL161129
2021–22Los Angeles KingsNHL13011442240
2022–23Arizona CoyotesNHL6107729
2022–23 Calgary FlamesNHL2034715
2023–24Arizona CoyotesNHL4714524
2023–24Edmonton OilersNHL70228
NHL totals49419911102252143710

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2019CanadaWC101232
2021CanadaWC101122
Senior totals202354

Notes and References

  1. http://sportdesigns.com/chinc/links/Pronunciations_1415.pdf 2014 - 15 NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Pronunciation Guide  - North Dakota.
  2. Web site: Wood . Graeme . Stecher makes history for Richmond with Canucks debut . richmond-news.com . December 24, 2018 . October 27, 2016.
  3. News: Clipperton . Joshua . North Dakota free agent Troy Stecher 'dreamed about playing for Canucks' . December 24, 2018 . The Globe and Mail . April 4, 2016.
  4. Web site: Sequeira . Emanuel . Vees name Stecher assistant captain . pentictonwesternnews.com . Penticton Western News . December 24, 2018 . August 23, 2011.
  5. Web site: STECHER COMMITS TO NORTH DAKOTA . pentictonvees.ca . December 24, 2018 . March 8, 2013.
  6. Web site: VEES SIGN TWO; NAME CAPTAIN . pentictonvees.ca . December 24, 2018 . June 28, 2012.
  7. Web site: Four Vees selected to BCHL all-star teams . pentictonwesternnews.com . Penticton Western News . December 24, 2018 . March 7, 2013.
  8. Web site: 2012-2013 BCHL AWARD WINNERS . pentictonvees.com . December 24, 2018 . March 12, 2013.
  9. Web site: TROY STECHER . fightinghawks.com . December 24, 2018.
  10. Web site: Dilks . Chris . North Dakota's Troy Stecher Likely Out 6-8 Weeks . sbncollegehockey.com . December 24, 2018 . December 10, 2014.
  11. Web site: Late rally spoiled by Ortega overtime winner . fightinghawks.com . December 24, 2018 . January 30, 2015.
  12. Web site: 2015-16 All-Americans . ahcahockey.com . December 24, 2018.
  13. Web site: Canucks sign defenceman Troy Stecher. Vancouver Canucks. April 13, 2016. October 26, 2016.
  14. Web site: Canucks Reduce Roster. Vancouver Canucks. October 19, 2016. October 26, 2016.
  15. Web site: Canucks Recall Megna and Stecher from the Comets. Vancouver Canucks. October 24, 2016. October 26, 2016.
  16. Web site: Craig Anderson, Ryan Dzingel spark Senators. NHL.com. October 25, 2016. October 26, 2016.
  17. Web site: Maple Leafs extend winning streak to three . nhl.com . 2016-11-05 . 2016-11-27.
  18. Web site: Martin Putting Targets on Leafs' Rookies? . The Hockey Writers . November 8, 2016.
  19. Web site: Canucks rally past Stars in overtime . nhl.com . 2016-11-13 . 2016-11-27.
  20. Web site: Canucks' Troy Stecher: Departs Sunday with injury . cbssports . March 27, 2017.
  21. Web site: Canucks' Stecher leaves game with injury . . Mar 26, 2017.
  22. Web site: Stecher put summer boxing lessons to use in Canucks season opener. Paterson. Jeff. October 9, 2017. TSN.com. TSN. 27 November 2017.
  23. Web site: Canucks' Troy Stecher out 4-6 weeks with knee injury . Sportsnet . October 24, 2017.
  24. Web site: Mike G. Morreale. Hall helps Devils past Canucks. NHL.com. March 25, 2018. November 24, 2017.
  25. Web site: Sadler. Emily. Canucks re-sign defenceman Troy Stecher to two-year deal. sportsnet.ca. July 20, 2018. July 20, 2018.
  26. Web site: Detroit adds defenseman Troy Stecher . Kyle . Kujawa . NHL.com. October 10, 2020 . October 10, 2020.
  27. Web site: Kings Acquire Defenseman Troy Stecher From Detroit Red Wings . LAKings.com . March 20, 2022 . March 20, 2022.
  28. Web site: Coyotes sign Stecher to one-year contract . . July 13, 2022 . July 13, 2022.
  29. Web site: Flames acquire Troy Stecher, Nick Ritchie . NHL.com . March 4, 2023 . March 3, 2023.
  30. Web site: Staff . Julian McKenzie and The Athletic . Flames acquire D Troy Stecher from Coyotes . 2023-03-03 . The Athletic . en.
  31. Web site: Coyotes sign Stecher to one-year contract . . July 1, 2023 . July 1, 2023.
  32. Web site: RELEASE: Oilers acquire Troy Stecher from Arizona . NHL.com . March 7, 2024 . March 7, 2024.
  33. Web site: Oilers re-sign defenceman Troy Stecher for two years . Sportsnet.ca . July 1, 2024 . July 1, 2024.
  34. Web site: Hockey Canada names 22 players to 2019 IIHF World Championship roster . . April 29, 2019 . April 29, 2019 .
  35. Web site: Finland defeats Canada for Gold Medal at World Championship . . May 26, 2019 . May 26, 2019.
  36. Web site: IIHF - Canada wins "little miracle" gold. 2021-07-02. IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. en.
  37. Web site: IIHF - Game Centre 2021 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. 2021-07-02. IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. en.
  38. Web site: IIHF - Canada. 2021-07-02. IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. en.
  39. Web site: With pet dog in passenger seat, new Red Wing Stecher high tails it to Detroit. 2021-07-02. theprovince. en-CA.