Richmond Minor Hockey graduate Troy Stecher has been named captain of the defending RBC national junior A champion Penticton Vees for the coming B.C.
Hockey League season.
The 18-year-old blue liner is coming off an outstanding 2011-12 campaign that saw him registered career highs in both regular season and playoff scoring.
Stecher picked up 42 points in 53 games and won a gold medal with Team Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge.
He then had a memorable post-season as well, chipping in 15 points in 26 playoff games, and was named the top defenceman at the RBC Cup in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. He is already entering his third year with the Vees and was one of the team's alternate captains last season.
"It truly is an honour to have the 'C' on my jersey this upcoming season, knowing the tradition and history involved with the Vees," said Stecher who already has earned a scholarship to the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2013.
"This is one of the reasons why I came back, to be a leader both on and off the ice. It's a big step, but one I look forward to."
Vees head coach Fred Harbinson says the decision was simple.
"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."
Stecher enjoyed an outstanding career with Richmond Minor Hockey that culminated with helping the Richmond Bantam AAA Blues reach the tier one provincial championship game in 2009.
He then enjoyed an impressive season in the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League where he earned team MVP honours with the Vancouver Canadians.
His scholarship to Nebraska-Omaha was secured following his rookie season in Penticton when he was just 16.
