Troy Stecher, the University of North Dakota junior that helped the Fighting Hawks capture this year’s NCAA title, has opted to forgo his senior year and turn pro by signing with the Vancouver Canucks.
Stecher, 22, was named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament team following UND’s 5-1 win over Quinnipiac in the championship finale. That award came on the heels of a highly successful regular season, in which Stecher finished sixth among NCAA d-men in scoring, with 29 points in 43 games.
Stecher, who went undrafted largely because of his diminutive (5-foot-10, 190-pound) frame, was listed as one of USA Today’s NCAA’s top potential free agents last March, at the end of his sophomore campaign.
He opted to return to school for one more year, and the move looks to have paid off.
In addition to capturing the Frozen Four, Stecher also drew interest from the Canucks, his hometown team. A Richmond, B.C. native, he spent three years playing for BCHL Penticton before moving to North Dakota.