The Coyotes received defenseman Connor Mackey and forward Brett Ritchie, Nick's older brother. It is the first trade ever involving two brothers.
"I think they kind of got leaked out so they were laughing by the time I called them," Flames general manager Brad Treliving said. "It's unique. If for nothing else, we're unique. It just worked out that way. I think it's going to give Brett an opportunity there. We get Nick, give him an opportunity. First time for everything. It's a little unique, and I had a chuckle with both of them while we were talking."
Stecher, a 28-year-old defenseman, signed a one-year contract with the Coyotes on July 13, 2022, and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. He has seven assists in 61 games this season.
Signed by the Vancouver Canucks as an undrafted free agent on April 13, 2016, Stetcher has 96 points (15 goals, 81 assists) in 420 regular-season games with the Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings and Canucks and seven points (four goals, three assists) in 21 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"In Troy Stecher, we're getting a player back who has a lot of experience, has played in the playoffs as recently as last year," Treliving said. "A right-shot guy. He brings some mobility, which I thought with (defenseman) Oliver Kylington]*
"I told Nick Ritchie
and traded forward Nick Bjugstad to the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Michael Kesselring and a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
On Wednesday, the Coyotes traded defenseman Jakob Chychrun to the Ottawa Senators for a conditional first-round pick in the 2023 draft, a conditional second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and traded defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere to the Carolina Hurricanes for a third-round pick in the 2026 Draft.
NHL.com independent correspondents Aaron Vickers and Alan Robinson contributed to this report
