Troy Stecher has played for multiple NHL teams and says the Maple Leafs stand out above almost all of them
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
For a guy who has been everywhere, Troy Stecher made it known that the Maple Leafs are above the rest of the NHL when it comes to treating their players well.
In November, the Toronto Maple Leafs needed to add some insurance on their back end, and luckily for them they had just the guy to grab, as Troy Stecher was waived by Edmonton and made for a perfect stop-gap replacement.
That turned into a 58-game season with the team and while it wasn't exactly the results he was hoping for, Stecher was a great veteran asset who provided leadership and immense heart that never quit even in the darkest moments.
Stecher said the Maple Leafs do things most teams cannot afford to do which separates them from the rest of the league
But Stecher is also very grateful for the opportunity to just be a part of the Maple Leafs organization, and delved a little deeper into what makes the team so special — and it has everything to do with player treatment:
We’re very fortunate. You are not treated that well across the league in many spots, if any. It was a real privilege to be a Maple Leaf in that regard. I felt very fortunate.
It is the little things. You have a player-only bus on the road, before the game and after the game, regardless of the result...on the road, you stay overnight in a lot of cities because they feel there is a benefit in you getting a better night’s rest instead of hopping on a flight and getting into a hotel late.
If you really want to get into it, a lot of teams wouldn’t do that just on their budget alone.
It is the little things. You have a player-only bus on the road, before the game and after the game, regardless of the result...on the road, you stay overnight in a lot of cities because they feel there is a benefit in you getting a better night’s rest instead of hopping on a flight and getting into a hotel late.
If you really want to get into it, a lot of teams wouldn’t do that just on their budget alone.
For all the cost-cutting that MLSE may do, at least they make sure their players have the best transportation and accommodations as possible. Instead of having to catch a red-eye flight or sit on a plane until 3am, the team would rather spend the few thousand dollars it takes to house their players for the night.
Sure, it's better than a Motel 6, but likely not Caesar's Palace; it's not going to really take much from a billion-dollar company to be able to help give their players extra rest; it's surprising that teams already don't do it on the regular.
The culture inside the Maple Leafs organization is better than the results suggested and Stecher is the proof
But Stecher also tried to give fans a bit of hope that things aren't as dark as it may sound, because for a guy who has been in the league for 12 years and seven different teams; he's certainly got the resume to know which teams are trying to help their players the most:
They do everything they can to try to maximize and get the best out of every single player. It is pretty evident, especially for me, as someone who has been around the league and played for multiple teams. I can compare one to the other. It was cool to be in Toronto and be treated that way.
At the end of the day, these players are still human beings. Athletes aren't some invincible and untouchable figures. Teams should be giving their players a lot of help in making sure they are healthy and focused every game. The difference in getting four hours of sleep on a bus or flight as opposed to eight or nine in a hotel is night and day.
While there's a lot of talk about how the culture in the organization is fractured, that seems to be more on the management side with roster construction or certain players not giving a great effort. You have to tip your cap to Toronto for at least having the decency to give their club some extra perks to keep them feeling appreciated.
Stecher came in with no expectations and probably didn't think he was going to be a steady part of the lineup. Instead, he came to realize that as bad as the team is off the ice, they truly care about their players.
Now let's hope they start caring just as much about winning as they do a good night's rest.
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