Goodbye Hometown Boy

Posted on by

Picture yourself as a little kid, playing the sport you love and dreaming of one day playing for your hometown team in the big leagues. Someone who embodies that is none other, Troy Stecher. You may know him as Tony Stretcher, or even Troy from Richmond. That just goes to show how well known Troy is for being a Lower Mainland native. 

The Vancouver Canucks signed Troy Stecher to a two-year entry level contract back in 2016 after not being selected in the draft three times. Although he was cut from the training camp upon signing his contract, it was not long until he was called up to the big leagues to make his NHL debut. This made him the first ever player that was born and raised in Richmond to play for the Canucks. I’d say that’s a huge accomplishment and rarity because not many players who get to the big leagues end up playing for their hometown. And if you look at Troy from Richmond, you could see how hard he represents being a BC boy. He’s been a Canucks fan since he was a little kid, and as a fan of sports I would love to represent my hometown like Troy.

Unfortunately, with the event unfolding during free agency in the beginning of October, Troy Stecher’s run as a Canuck came to an end. The Canucks failed to tender a qualifying offer for Stecher, and thus became a free agent. Fans were heartbroken and shocked at this to think after Stecher put his heart and soul into this team that management couldn’t work out a deal to keep him. Stecher is a solid defenseman, who is always accountable and a team player. Troy ended up signing a two-year, $3.4 million dollar contract with the Detroit Red Wings. 

He will be greatly missed for how much he bled for the Canucks, however there is still hope at the end of his contract with the Red Wings for him to finish his career here, in his home province. We wish him all the best in the Motor City, and cannot wait for him to play against us.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *