'AN EXCITING MOMENT'

New place, similar faces.
That doesn't always happen when a player is traded from one club to another but for Troy Stecher, it's a scenario that he happily finds himself.
It's a reunion of sorts as Stecher is back playing alongside old teammates from his Canucks days after being acquired Friday from the Coyotes at the NHL Trade Deadline.

The rearguard said he was pumped to hear the news that he had been dealt.
"A lot of excitement right away, then panic set in to get your gear packed up and get to the airport in time. Pretty hectic," he said on the quick turnaround to get from Arizona to Calgary. "I talked to Tanny (Chris Tanev) right away and Backlund reached out and sent a nice text. I talked to the management and coaching staff, everyone has been reach out here and there. Obviously an exciting moment.
"Obviously stepping in the room you introduce yourself with the guys wanting to know who you are and your tendencies as a player. You don't want to step on any toes but having a lot of familiar faces in that room is going to help with that transition and also out on the ice with new systems. It should be good."
Stecher comes to Calgary alongside Nick Ritchie, with brother Brett Ritchie and Connor Mackey headed back to Arizona. The also acquired Dryden Hunt from the Maple Leafs in exchange for Radim Zohorna in a separate deal.
The deal with the 'Yotes provided the Flames with more depth up front and on the blueline, and a veteran presence in Stecher who brings 420 regular-season games and 21-playoff tilts worth of experience.

"He can play in all situations," Flames general manager Brad Treliving said. "I remember Troy, we recruited Troy coming out of college. Highly competitive player, got some leadership qualities. He's been known as a hard-working dedicated athlete, wherever he's been. Not the biggest guy in the world, but he's not a small guy, either.
"That's one area on the blueline and for those of who that have covered the team the last few years, that's one thing that we've missed: Oliver (Kylington)'s mobility. Troy brings that. Right shot and with Stoney (Michael Stone) going down, we've had Dennis (Gilbert) there, so it gives us a little more depth, a little more experience on the blueline."
The 28-year-old is more than ready to jump into battle with his new squad, hoping a plane to get in town in time for tomorrow's morning skate prior to the Flames clash vs. the Wild at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
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With 20 games left on the sked and the Flame sitting five points out of playoff spot, things are heating up.
"They're pretty dialed in there," Stecher said. "They know what needs to be achieved throughout the remaining games. Just a good opportunity to make the playoffs, that's your goal to make playoffs.
"Having these remaining games prepares you in a sense that play a lot more playoff like games before it starts."
- With files from Brendan Parker