Coyotes sign forward Nick Bjugstad; defensemen Josh Brown, Troy Stecher
Jul 13, 2022, 10:40 AM | Updated: 5:32 pm
Nick Bjugstad #27 of the Minnesota Wild passes against the Seattle Kraken during the third period on October 28, 2021 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Arizona Coyotes made a trio of roster moves on Wednesday.
The team announced the signing of forward Nick Bjugstad to a one-year contract, defenseman Josh Brown to a two-year contract and defenseman Troy Stecher to a one-year contract.
Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro was the first to report all three of the signings.
Bjugstad, 29, is an 11-year pro that has totaled 110-127-237 in 540 career games after being drafted No. 19 overall in 2010 by the Florida Panthers.
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The 6-foot-6, 209-pound forward spent 2018-20 with the Pittsburgh Penguins and 2020-22 with the Minnesota Wild where he won 55.3% of his faceoffs last season.
“We are very pleased to have Nick join the Coyotes,” general manager Bill Armstrong said in a press release. “He is a big, strong, two-way forward who will provide experience and leadership. We look forward to having him on our roster next season.”
Brown, 28, is coming off of a 2021-22 season with the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins in which he registered six assists and 37 penalty minutes.
The former sixth-round pick in 2013 by the Panthers has a total of 17 points in his five NHL seasons, including a career-high eight points in a career-best 56 games in 2019-20.
“We are excited to have Josh join the Coyotes,” Armstrong said in the release. “He is a big, strong, physical defenseman who will add experience and toughness to our blue line next season.”
Stecher, 28, will be going into his eighth NHL season after going undrafted and signing with the Vancouver Canucks in 2016.
The 5-foot-10, 184-pound defenseman has totaled 15-74-89 in 359 career games with the Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings.
Last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs saw Stecher post 2-2-4 with a plus/minus of plus-four while leading all Kinds defensemen in goals and points in the postseason.
“We are pleased to have Troy join the Coyotes,” Armstrong said in the release. “Troy is an experienced defenseman who competes hard every night. He will be a solid addition to our blue line.”
