Troy Stecher has wasted little time in making an impact at the University of North Dakota.
The Richmond native was named National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Defenceman of the Week after North Dakota Fighting Sioux split a pair of non-conference games against St.
Lawrence last weekend.
Stecher was a +1 each night and assisted on Connor Gaarder's go-ahead, power-play goal late in the second period of Saturday's 3-2 victory. He helped UND hold the nation's top power play scoreless in three chances on Saturday and was UND's only defenseman to register a positive plus/minus in the series.
Each game drew nearly 11,000 fans at UND's home rink - the Ralph Engelstad Arena - in Grand Forks. The venue is considered one of the finest hockey facilities in the world, complete with an adjacent Olympic-size practice rink and a 10,000 square foot weight room.
"It's unbelievable. As players we are all blessed to have an opportunity to play in this beautiful facility and have the support we do from the fans," said Stecher. "Even the coaching staff, every single day they are positive and trying to make us better."
With a goal and four assists through 14 games this season, the Richmond Minor Hockey alumni is tied for the team scoring lead among freshmen.
Awards are nothing new for Stecher who enjoyed three productive seasons in the B.C. Hockey League with the Penticton Vees before heading south on a full ride scholarship. Last season, he was named the BCHL's Interior Conference Defenceman of the Year after producing 47 points in 52 games. He was also selected to the Interior Conference First All-Star Team.
In 2011-12 season, Stecher had a leading role in Penticton capturing the RBC Cup national junior "A" championship. He was named top defenceman of the RBC playoffs.
Playing alongside current Vancouver Giants Carter Popoff and Anthony Ast, Stecher helped the Richmond Blues reached the provincial Bantam A1 championship game in his final year of local minor hockey. He then moved out to the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League where he earned team MVP honours with the Greater Vancouver Canadians. Stecher made the rare jump to the junior "A" ranks as a 16-year-old blueliner.
He is majoring in Pre-Business Economics at North Dakota.
UND returns to conference play this weekend against Western Michigan.
