Troy Stecher's impressive hockey resumé just keeps on growing.
For the second straight year, the standout 18-year-old defenceman from Richmond is a good bet to be playing for Team Canada West at the 2012 World Junior "A" World Challenge.
Stecher is in Calgary this week, looking to nail down a roster spot with 59 other hopefuls, including 18 from the B.C. Hockey League.
He helped Team Canada West win gold at the 2011 event.
The 2012 World Junior A Challenge will take place Nov. 5-11 in Yarmouth, NS. Canada West will play in Group "A" with the Czech Republic and Russia. The gold medal game will be shown nationally on TSN.
Stecher is enjoying another standout season in the BCHL with the defending RBC Cup national junior "A" champions Penticton Vees. He has 12 points in 17 games, including two goals.
The Richmond Minor Hockey product was appointed team captain this season after having a leading roll in Penticton's championship run last spring. He was named the tournament's top defenceman at the RBC Cup.
"Troy has grown leaps and bounds as not only a hockey player but as a young man. Given the fact he is only 18 years-old speaks for his maturity and leadership capabilities.," said Vees GM and head coach Fred Harbinson.
Stecher concluded his local minor hockey career by helping the Richmond Blues reach the Bantam A1 provincial championship game on a team that included current Vancouver Giant forwards Anthony Ast and Carter Popoff.
He then was named team MVP with the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League's Greater Vancouver Canadians, before making a successful jump to the BCHL with Penticton at the age of 16.
Two years ago, Stecher signed a letter of intent to play for the University Nebraska-Omaha on a scholarship, but recently announced he has de-committed after changes were made to the team's coaching staff over the summer.
His decision means he is back on the market and is expected be playing at the NCAA Division One level next season.
