New Maple Leafs Acquisition Troy Stecher Selects Jersey Number of a Toronto Icon

With injuries mounting and current roster players struggling, the Toronto Maple Leafs used the waiver wire to shore up their back-end when they claimed Troy Stecher over the weekend.

The Richmond, British Columbia native, is a 10-year journeyman of sorts, as he played for 6 teams over his career, including stops in Vancouver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Arizona, Calgary, and most recently Edmonton.

Stecher is expected to make his Maple Leafs debut tomorrow night when they play the St. Louis Blues. He was seen skating on the third pairing with Dakota Mermis in practice, taking over for the struggling Phil Myers.

Additionally, the Leafs have also unveiled his jersey number, and Stecher will become the 32nd player to don the number 28. He will be joining the likes of recent number holders in Jani Hakanpaa (2025), Sam Lafferty (2023), Joey Anderson (2021-23), and Connor Brown (2018-19).

Perhaps the most notable number 28 in franchise history is fan favourite and Toronto icon Tie Domi, who wore the jersey with pride between 1995 and 2006.

With Brandon Carlo placed on IR, joining Chris Tanev, Stecher will be tasked with playing time for the foreseeable future. He brings a right-hand shot and puck-handling qualities that this back-end has desperately needed.

Points have been hard to come by in recent years but he does have two 20+ point seasons under his belt so some offensive potential is there. However, his shot-blocking and physical play will help as he's registered 629 blocked shots and 562 hits over his career, including 235 blocked shots and 172 hits in 201 games between 2022-23 and 2024-25.

The Maple Leafs have lost 5 straight games and have allowed 22 goals in the process. With injuries and inconsistencies aplenty, Stecher will have a great opportunity for extended playing time.