Troy Stecher continues to prove value to Maple Leafs teammates: ‘Thank God Edmonton let him go’

Stecher scored the winning goal in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Monday night, part of a unique road trip for the 31-year-old that has seen all three of the Leafs’ final games go into halftime against former teams of his. When asked about the emotions he feels in these matches, he admitted that it lingers in the back of his mind, but reaffirmed his commitment to his current team.

“I mean, I’m obviously a suitcase,” Stecher said to a room full of laughter. “Yeah, I don’t know. It’s unique… I loved being a Canuck, I loved being a Flame, I loved being an Oiler, and now I love being a Maple Leaf. And that’s where my pride and joy lies. But I’m not aware of the memories that I have in the past, and I’m very happy with those memories.”

It’s no secret that the Maple Leafs have a steep uphill climb ahead of them if they want to make the playoffs, putting a serious dagger in their playoff chances with a six-game losing streak before slamming into the Canucks on Saturday. But Stecher, like his teammates, continues to believe this team can run and make it to the dance.

“I mean, the 25 guys in that room have a belief and that’s all that matters,” Stecher said. “And the East is tight, man. We have a big one tomorrow. You don’t want to look too far ahead, but I think we still have 18 games against our conference after the break. So there’s a lot of belief in that room and there’s still a lot of hockey to be played.”

Defenders who play a style of play like Stecher’s always have a special relationship with their goalkeeper, and Joseph Woll illustrated that when discussing Stecher’s play after the win.

“Thank God Edmonton let him go,” Woll told reporters with a laugh. “Yeah, he’s a great guy. I’m really excited to have him here, he’s obviously a great player on the ice and I trust him a lot there. He’s also really good with our goalie calls. He talks a lot and I feel like he’s smooth there, so I feel like our chemistry is building as well.”

The Maple Leafs will travel north for one final game before the break Tuesday night with a tilt against the Edmonton Oilers.

PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER