Canucks Reassign Stecher and Nilsson to Utica

by Mark Caswell, Jr.

Nov 2, 2016

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the club has re-assigned defencemen Troy Stecher and Tom Nilsson to the AHL Utica Comets.

Stecher, 22, has appeared in three games with the Canucks (0-0-0, 2 PIM) and in four games with the Comets (0-1-1, 4 PIM) this season. He was named the third star of the game in two of his three NHL appearances including his NHL debut on October 25 vs Ottawa. In 2015.16, the 5-10, 181-pound defenceman completed his junior season with the University of North Dakota, helping the Fighting Hawks to their eighth NCAA Championship while being named to the All-Tournament Team.

A native of Richmond, British Columbia, Stecher was signed by Vancouver as a free agent on April 13, 2016.

Nilsson, 23, appeared in 37 regular season games with Frolunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League in 2015.16 where he registered seven points (1-6-7) along with 34 penalty minutes. He also registered a goal and an assist (1-1-2) in seven playoff games. In 2014.15, the 6-0, 190-pound defenceman tallied six points (1-5-6) and 26 penalty minutes in 44 games as a member of the AHL Toronto Marlies.

A native of Tyreso, Sweden, Nilsson was originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fourth round, 100th overall, at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.