Strome Making Strides 3/11/19
HAMILTON, ONT -- A year removed from hoisting the J. Ross Robertson Cup as Ontario Hockey League Champions, the Hamilton Bulldogs find themselves in the midst of a playoff race. Leading the charge to the post-season dance in "Steeltown" is 19-year-old Philadelphia Flyers' prospect and Bulldogs' captain, Matthew Strome.
"It's an awesome feeling," said Strome. "Trying to lead these guys into the playoffs; once we get in there, anything can happen."
Named as captain on January 16th, the Mississauga product hasn't missed a beat with the added weight of donning the "C" on his chest. He is already engraved into the history books and Hamilton Bulldog's lore. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound left winger is amassing another impressive season in the "Hammer". In 66 games this season, Strome has tallied an impressive 79 points and 28 goals.
Selected with Hamilton's first-pick in franchise history (8th overall) in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, he ranks as the current franchise leader in games played (258), goals (115), and points (247).
While his main focus is with the current OHL playoff push at hand, Matthew continues to take positive strides towards living his NHL dream.
He was drafted in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers and signed nine months later to a three-year, standard entry-level contract.
Strome could be a significant piece in completing the Flyers' retooling project. Which organization wouldn't want a young power forward with Strome's size, skill, and potential?
The hard-nosed winger was given two clear directives from the Flyers' organization: "Work on your skating, play your game and dominate in the OHL'', Strome said recalling the message from Flyers' management.
“They've been good,” said Strome of his agent's conversations with newly appointed Flyers' general manager, Chuck Fletcher. "I haven't talked to him personally, but my agents have, [and] they're saying good things and that he said good things back about me [so] that’s always a positive. It always gets my mood up around the rink, that's really exciting for me to hear from him.”
Strome's Skating Remains Top Development Priority
Strome is currently working to hone his skating which the Philadelphia brass identify as a priority for the young power forward.
"The biggest thing is skating for me," noted Strome. ''I've been working on that at the end of practice every day."
Hamilton Bulldogs' associate coach Vince Laise is helping with finer points in this regard, by helping Strome to improve his edge work and stride.
Strong Bloodlines Look Promising
The youngest Strome brother has his eyes on the prize and would like nothing more than to join his older brothers Dylan and Ryan in NHL action.
Matthew believes he can make good on his bloodlines and potential: "I hope one day, in the [near] future to step in there and have a big impact."
Although a young man of few words, Bulldogs and Flyers' fans would like nothing more than to see his vision come to fruition.
