All evidence points to team canada’s management not being aware of what they had in stecher. Head coach and former canucks coach alain vigneault had stecher deployed on canada’s third defensive pairing behind brandon montour and damon severson, with little expectation of dominance.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom however, in a matter of games, troy from richmond had been moved to the top pairing, playing alongside ottawa defenceman thomas chabot. His skill and effort became clear very quickly, and his deployment improved as the tournament carried on, to the benefit of not only canada, but stecher himself and the canucks as well.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

It was clear to anyone familiar with stecher’s play who watched canada’s games that he was improving throughout. Canada’s semi-final contest against the czech republic may have been his best game of the tournament, in which he got an assist and finished as a plus-three.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom the assist came on a play that perfectly demonstrates how stecher is developing into the defenceman that the canucks desperately need.

This play also demonstrates how his offensive instincts have improved throughout the tournament.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom the way that stecher carries the puck to a position from which he can pass to stone is not a highlight reel play, but his puck control and offensive vision serve as an example of the style of an elite two-way defenceman.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom I was struck by another stecher moment in the dying seconds of the semi-final.

Unfortunately, I don’t have video footage, with the canadians up by four goals and the czechs unable to come back, the game’s momentum was gone.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom nonetheless, stecher ended up in the corner with the puck and two czech players came at him. Rather than get it, he managed to deke the puck several times to get it out of danger.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom while not elias pettersson-calibre dekes, we can see that stecher is learning to play the offensive game that makes dekey pete or hughes so potent.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

Part of stecher’s WHC success can most likely be attributed to him finally playing on a truly elite line. Apart from being paired with chabot, he played behind a forward line of stone, jonathan marchessault, and pierre-luc dubois.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom he even played a little bit on canada’s top power play unit with those same players. Stecher did spend time this season playing behind pettersson and boeser, but never consistently.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom more often than not, he was backing up the jay beagles and loui erikssons. Stecher’s ability to perform with the elites is becoming clear, so he would be best served in a consistent role with the canucks’ top line next season.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

Props must be given to vigneault, whose tendency to roll consistent lines has most likely had an effect as well. Stecher has spent more time than he is used to playing with the same players, and likely developed more chemistry with those same players than he has before.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom vigneault’s coaching style was always one of tough love when he coached the canucks. Players that put in the work get rewarded, and as a result, the canucks saw alex edler and chris tanev develop into top defenders under his watch.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom stecher experienced the same principles in slovakia and has clearly benefitted.