The Stecher Effect #4: Opening the Gates to More NCAA
Troy Stecher came to Vancouver not only because he was born here but also because his teammate and Canucks draft pick Brock Boeser kept him posted about his team. Teammates have these impacts on each other.
So then is Drake Caggiula not interested in playing the rest of his hockey career with two of his North Dakota teammates? The left winger has been the very linemate for Boeser while sharing the alternate captaincy with Stecher. With Vancouver already throwing a pitch to negotiate a contract with him, why should Caggiula not come to Vancouver?
In fact, news from TSN’s Frank Seravalli is that he will be visiting Vancouver among a few other NHL cities in the coming weeks:
"According to sources, Caggiula has whittled down his list to include (in no particular order) Philadelphia, Edmonton, Ottawa, Vancouver, Chicago and Buffalo. (Frank Seravalli, TSN)"
The Stecher Effect doesn’t end there. Actually, the Stecher Effect is an extension of the Hutton effect. The NCAA bloom has been highlighted in Vancouver thanks to the growth of Hutton into a top-four potential defenceman in a seamless transition. And that also means that the Canucks have a case to sign netminder Thatcher Demko.
This Stecher signing should serve as an encouragement to Demko to sign with the Canucks and turn pro. After all, he is representing his country at the World Championship, and a nation’s top netminding prospect should be a professional hockey player, is that not right?
Add to that mix Quinnipiac Bobcats netminder Michael Garteig. The Stecher effect could open the NCAA floodgates to Vancouver.
Next: The Wrap Up: The Stecher Effect #5