Former Penticton Vees defenceman Troy Stecher made his NHL debut on Tuesday night and despite the loss by the Vancouver Canucks he still made an impression.
Read more: Former Vees player to make NHL debut
“I had my moments and created some offence and there is some shifts I would like back, certain plays I would like back but it is all part of the learning process. At the end of the night we couldn’t find a way to win and that is what you want got to do in this league. That is two points we are going to want back,” said Stecher following the game.
.@troystecher discusses his NHL debut and how he felt right at home after his first shift. pic.twitter.com/sMx32PEGH3
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 26, 2016
Stecher earned the game’s third star after logging in 22:35 of ice time in the 3-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Filling in for the injured Christopher Tanev, Stecher was paired on the Canucks top defensive line with Alexander Edler.
“I didn’t have too many expectations I just wanted to go out there and try to contribute and help, whether that was limited ice time or a ton. I just tried to play my best out there,” said Stecher.
The Canucks welcomed Stecher to the team with the traditional way other NHL clubs have introduced their rookies — letting him skate out on to the ice by himself for a lap or two before the rest of the team comes on during warm ups.
“I completely forgot about that, but I have seen it obviously on highlights of guys in their first game doing that,” said Stecher.
Welcome to the @NHL Stech! pic.twitter.com/7wi2xL0fST
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 26, 2016