Canucks extend former Vee, Stecher, for 2 years
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks signed defenceman Troy Stecher to a two-year deal valued at US$2.325 million per year.
The 24-year-old from Richmond recorded one goal and 10 assists over 68 games last season, his second in the NHL. He set career highs in penalty minutes (35), hits (110) and blocked shots (75).
His averaged 18:49 of ice time, good for fifth on the team.
Stecher, signed by the Canucks as a free agent on April 13, 2016, has four goals, 35 assists and 60 penalty minutes over 139 career games with Vancouver. He played junior for the BCHL’s Penticton Vees for three seasons (2010-2013) before spending three seasons with the NCAA’s North Dakota Fighting Sioux (now Hawks).
“Troy Stecher is an important part of our team,” Canucks general manager Jim Benning said in a statement. “He’s a talented two-way defenceman who competes every shift. Troy has a willingness to always improve his game and is an example of a young player committed to being a professional.”
Capitals re-sign former Rockets’ captain, Bowey
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Washington Capitals re-signed defenceman Madison Bowey to a two-year deal worth $2 million.
General manager Brian MacLellan announced the contract on Thursday.
Bowey, who will count $1 million against the salary cap in each of the next two seasons, did not dress in a game during Washington’s Stanley Cup run. In 51 regular-season games, Bowey averaged almost 14 minutes and recorded 12 assists.
The 23-year-old from Winnipeg was a second-round pick of the Capitals in 2013 and captained the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets for two seasons to conclude a four-year junior career, all with Kelowna (2011-2015).
The right-shot defender is seen as a piece of the Capitals’ future blue line, given that they already have their top four players at the position signed long term.
Jets lock up Lowry for 3 years at $8.75 million
WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets avoided salary arbitration with forward Adam Lowry, signing him to a three-year, US$8.75-million contract.
The 25-year-old played in 45 games for the Jets last season, recording 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) and eight penalty minutes.
Lowry also saw action in all 17 playoff games for Winnipeg, with two assists and eight penalty minutes.
Lowry ranked second among Jets forwards with 124 hits in the regular season and led the group with 47 in the post-season. He also led Winnipeg forwards in shorthanded time-on-ice in both the regular season (2:02 per game) and the playoffs (1:37).
In 281 career NHL regular-season games, Lowry has 90 points (41 goals, 49 assists) and 159 penalty minutes.
Lowry was drafted by the Jets in the third round (67th overall) of the 2011 NHL draft and won the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s most valuable player for the 2012-13 season with the Swift Current Broncos.