Troy Stecher knows the Vancouver Canucks’ new leadership group better than most unrestricted free agents.

The Richmond-born defenceman broke into the NHL with the Canucks in 2016 after signing as an undrafted free agent out of the University of North Dakota. Now, with Stecher set to hit free agency this summer, the 32-year-old made it clear he would have interest in a return if the Canucks called.

“Yeah, there would always be interest, especially with the guys in place now,” he said on his Tuesday hit on Donnie and Dhali. “I have a lot of respect for, obviously, Hank and Danny, Manny too. He was one of my coaches when I was in Vancouver. RJ helped recruit me out of North Dakota, so I’m familiar with all those guys and couldn’t have more respect for them.

“Obviously, that’d be an opportunity that we’d be pretty excited about if it got to that point. But there’s a lot that goes on in between here and now.”

Stecher is preparing for what would be his 11th NHL season after stops with Detroit, Los Angeles, Arizona, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto, but holds his hometown team close to his heart. His answer indicated as much when he was asked whether the Canucks are in good hands with the new regime.

“You just want people that care about your program in charge,” Stecher said. “I think that’s what the Vancouver Canucks have right now, is four men that really deeply care about the organization. So, they’re in great hands.”

After struggling to get into the Oilers lineup last season, Stecher was placed on waivers and claimed by the Maple Leafs. The 5’10” right-shot defenceman made an early impression in Toronto, scoring one goal and five assists through his first 13 games. As a result, he saw his ice-time jump from 16:09 through his first five games to 22:58 over the following eight. His stint with the Maple Leafs helped rebuild his value around the league.

For now, Stecher’s focus remains on navigating free agency. Still, his comments offered a glimpse into how highly he regards the people now running the Canucks and why Vancouver would be a destination worth considering if the right opportunity emerged.