Dylan Strome, a forward for the Washington Capitals, revealed his love for the Toronto Maple Leafs and shared some thoughts about them. Growing up in Mississauga, he always rooted for the Leafs, so playing against them is special. Scoring his first goal against Toronto during their 4-3 overtime loss on November 13 was a big moment for him.
Strome mentioned that before this game, Toronto was one of only two teams he hadn’t scored against. Playing against such a historic team like the Leafs or Montreal Canadiens is always exciting, especially with friends and family watching in the stands. He enjoys these games even more because they remind him of his roots.
When asked by Jay Rosehill about being a fan and dealing with ticket requests from family and friends, Strome laughed about how pricey tickets are in Toronto. Even as an NHL player, he feels the pinch when buying tickets for loved ones since they’re so expensive there. He said that now it’s mostly just parents and close buddies who get to come since they play Toronto twice a year.
Playing Against Childhood Heroes:
Fans might think it’s cool to see someone play against their favorite childhood team while wearing another jersey! Strome’s journey hasn’t been smooth; after being drafted by Arizona Coyotes third overall—right before Mitch Marner—he played only 48 games over three seasons before moving to Chicago. There, he found his rhythm and has continued to shine with Washington.
In Washington, he’s made quite an impact with 108 assists and 166 points across 188 games; this season alone he’s racked up 34 points in just 25 matches! His career seemed uncertain at first but now he’s thriving on the ice.
What do you think about players facing off against their favorite teams?