GRAND FORKS — Ten years ago, Troy Stecher helped UND win an NCAA national championship, then signed with his hometown Vancouver Canucks.
Stecher was an undrafted free agent, facing long odds of making it at the highest level.
That year, only one undrafted defenseman at 5-foot-10 (or shorter) played more than seven NHL games — Torey Krug.
But Stecher has an uncommon drive, relentlessness and competitiveness that have always allowed him to beat the odds.
He returned to campus last week as a 10-year NHL veteran with 624 regular-season NHL games and counting.
There’s only one 5-foot-10 defenseman currently in the NHL who has played more games — Jared Spurgeon of the Minnesota Wild.
“I think the biggest thing to this point in my career is that I’ve always believed in myself,” Stecher said. “It didn’t really matter what outside people thought. When you have the belief and you have the work ethic to go along with it, I think you can achieve a lot of special things.”
Stecher, who is under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, said his goal is to reach 1,000 NHL games.
“I don’t think a lot of people ever thought I’d play one,” he said. “Not to pump my own tires, but it’s not by luck. I really believe I’ve earned this opportunity.”
For all of the highly drafted NHL stars who have come through UND, this year’s pro camp featured another faction of alums — those who were passed over in the NHL Draft but developed into NHL-caliber players.
The camp also featured Matt Kiersted, who has played parts of five seasons in the NHL, and Cole Smith, who played in the Stanley Cup Final two months ago.
Kiersted is under contract with the Minnesota Wild. Smith signed a $9-million deal with the Chicago Blackhawks in the offseason.
“The aspect a lot of people don’t think about or talk about is that when you come here, you’re surrounded by such good players,” Stecher said. “Everybody is a good player, so naturally, you’re going to get better every single day because you go and compete against them.”
Stecher singled out his class of defensemen, along with Paul LaDue, Gage Ausmus and Keaton Thompson.
“Every single day was a competition between us,” he said. “There were some fist fights in the garages. There were some fist fights in 4-on-4 skates. Then, 30 minutes later you’re laughing in the shower and being like, ‘Let’s go to The Bun for lunch.’
“Being a Sioux, you’re naturally going to get better every single day, because everyone has the same common goals. It’s to win. In order to win, you need to be at your best. That’s just an accountability thing here, where there are no bad days. You’ve got to make sure you bring it every single day. That’s an amazing part of the player aspect, where you can progress your game to pro.
“When people look at programs, it’s like, ‘Who is the coaching staff? What’s the facility like?’ I think you kind of forget about your own teammates and how they push you.”
Stecher has kept in close touch with UND and his old teammates since turning pro.
He still watches UND’s games and he joined a reunion with former teammates in Chicago this summer.
“We’re always talking to each other in the group chat or on FaceTime,” Stecher said. “But it’s always nice to see them in person.”
Troy Stecher wore No. 2 at UND.
Eric Hylden / Grand Forks Herald
Stecher walked around campus last week to see all of the changes while he spent a few days working out in Ralph Engelstad Arena.
“It’s amazing,” Stecher said. “This is such a special place to come back to. To see all the changes, I feel like I kind of missed out. But then I think back and I’m like, ‘I had it better than anybody.’
“It’s just amazing to see how well they treat the guys here. You kind of go back to that feeling as soon as you step back on campus. It’s a very special place. I’m happy to be here.”
Stecher has returned as an NHL veteran who has built the type of career most current UND players dream of.
Stecher has been within a game of having his name on the Stanley Cup. He’s won gold with Canada at the Men’s World Championship. And he could eclipse 700 games this upcoming season.
But his message to the current team is to take it all in while they’re at UND.
“The craziest part,” Stecher said, “is I’d give it all up to re-live that lifestyle.”
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Troy Stecher (28) shoots on goal against the defense of Los Angeles Kings left wing Jeff Malott (39) during the first period at Crypto.com Arena on April 4, 2026.
Gary A. Vasquez / Imagn Images
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.