Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher comments about the loss of his father in June

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher has had a tougher stretch than most of us this past few months, dealing first with the NHL shutdown, then facing the COVID-19 pandemic, much like the rest of us, but what came next, he could not have possibly been prepared for.

On June 21, Troy's father, Peter Stecher, passed away suddenly due to complications with his diabetes. Imagine having your father, your hero, your first and favourite coach, taken from you amid one of the most trying times of your life. It's something that you never expect, but yet, it is an inevitability in life.

The passing of a parent is a very difficult burden to bear, but fortunately for Troy, his father did not leave him without some words of comfort and support. While cleaning out his father's apartment with his brother, Troy happened upon a letter, which his father had written, yet never sent, during Troy's rookie year with the Canucks.

“He was telling me how proud he was that I made the NHL. And how there's no straight road in this world. There are always going to be bumps and bruises and you just keep going through it. (He wrote) I've faced a lot of obstacles already and I've overcome a lot, but now is not the time to stop."

A comforting embrace in the form of some encouragement, a sense of pride and some fatherly advice. One which Troy does not take for granted the value of.

“When I found that letter, I definitely broke down. That's something I'll hold and probably frame and keep with me the rest of my life.

“He was my first coach and my favourite coach,” Stecher said. “He was my best friend. My dad was always hard on me as a player. He wasn't an asshole or anything, but my dad expected me to work hard and he wasn't going to sugar-coat anything. He was going to tell me the way it was, and I'm thankful for that.”

With hockey soon-to-be under way once again, Stecher views this the revival of the season/playoffs as a blessing.

“On a personal level, it's been a blessing to have the guys back and I can get on a schedule that will occupy my mind throughout the day: showing up at the rink to work hard and going through practice, and then trying to take care of my body after. Obviously, there are times at home I think about things. It has just been a blessing to be at the rink. That's where my dad and I were happiest together – when we were at the rink.”

With a pair of teammates (Zack MacEwan and Jacob Markstrom) already having lost their fathers, Troy has no shortage of support in the room. Not just from MacEwan and Markstrom, but from all of his brothers in the room as well. Proof of the fact that hockey doesn't just entertain us, it unites us as well.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157181478906496&id=103863031495

MUST READ

1 hour ago  |  By Skyler Walker Elliotte Friedman's honest Lane Hutson admission suddenly changes the Norris conversation

2 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker A new camera angle sparks controversy, and it gets worse for the Canadiens and NHL

3 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker Arber Xhekaj faces NHL suspension verdict after one of the playoffs' most controversial hits

4 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker National anthem gesture before Canadiens game sparks heated reaction

4 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker John Tortorella facing possible NHL fine after expletive Mitch Marner rant

7 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet The Canucks 3rd overall pick race is heating up and one unexpected name is the frontrunner

7 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet Something nobody saw coming just happened at Martin St-Louis' press conference

8 hours ago  |  By Jonathan Ouimet The major Oilers move reportedly coming has all 31 other teams watching

MORE STORIES