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Vancouver Canucks: NHL Projections for Top 10 Prospects

By Janik Beichler

Apr 7, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston College Eagles goalie Thatcher Demko (30) makes a save against the Quinnipiac Bobcats during the second period of the semifinals of the 2016 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston College Eagles goalie Thatcher Demko (30) makes a save against the Quinnipiac Bobcats during the second period of the semifinals of the 2016 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 9, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; University of North Dakota defenseman Troy Stecher (2) reacts after scoring a goal on Boston University Terriers goalie Matt O’Connor (29) during the third period in a semifinal game in the men’s Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

7. D Troy Stecher

Acquired: Free agency, 2016
NHL: 2017-18

Troy Stecher is an exciting player for the Canucks. He is not only a right-handed two-way defenseman — so exactly what the Canucks want — but he is also proof that Vancouver is a desirable place to be. The Canucks aren’t exactly a Stanley Cup contender right now, but they can still get highly coveted free agents to sign with them.

Stecher is a very skilled defenseman who excels at both ends of the ice. In 2016-17, he will likely play a major role in the Utica Comets’ top four and on one of their power-play units. There are several players ahead of him on the depth chart right now, but he should get a call-up sometime during the season, and might stay up in the NHL for a while.

Read More: Top 25 Under 25 — #16 Troy Stecher

A comparable player is former Columbus Blue Jackets fourth-round pick Mike Reilly, who signed with the Minnesota Wild as an unrestricted free agent last summer. The 23-year-old started the season in the AHL but was later called up to Minnesota. He appeared in 45 AHL games and 29 NHL contests. That is probably what can be expected from Stecher as well.

In 2017-18, Stecher should hopefully be ready to play in Vancouver full-time. However, he will have to compete for a spot with other right-side players like Tryamkin, Alex Biega and Jordan Subban.

Next: Guillaume Brisebois

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