ARIZONA COYOTES

NHL first: Strome brothers could meet when Coyotes face Islanders

Oct 21, 2016, 6:00 AM

Anaheim Ducks' Cam Fowler, right, moves the puck away from Arizona Coyotes' Dylan Strome, left, in ...

Anaheim Ducks' Cam Fowler, right, moves the puck away from Arizona Coyotes' Dylan Strome, left, in front of Ducks goalie Matthew Hackett during the first period of an NHL preseason hockey game, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

NEW YORK — Dylan Strome has never played a minute of organized hockey against his brothers, Ryan and Matthew. That doesn’t mean the trio didn’t have their battles in pick-up games, in street games or even in socks in the family room.

“It was always competitive,” Dylan said. “We always played mini-sticks or real hockey in the driveway, and usually somebody came out of it crying.”

Assuming Dylan is in the lineup on Friday when the Coyotes face Ryan’s New York Islanders in Brooklyn, the brothers Strome — and their extended family — should have plenty to smile about.

“(Friday’s) going to be a great reward for our hard work, our passion and our dedication,” Ryan Strome said via conference call on Thursday. “We obviously talked about it in the summer a little bit and the possibility. I think now that it’s kind of getting closer and some family’s in town … I think it’s kind of becoming more real and a dream come true.”

Dylan said there would be six or seven family members in attendance at Barclays Center, but after making his debut on Tuesday in Ottawa, Dylan is following Ryan’s lead as he embarks on his NHL career.

“He’s been there for me, every step of the way, whether it’s talking or just texting me before every game,” Dylan said. “He’s been through a lot already, and it’s a few steps ahead of where I’m at, so it’s good to have him to talk to.”

Ryan Strome showed so much promise in a 37-game, 2013-14 season (seven goals, 18 points) that he became a fixture in the lineup the next season when he scored 17 goals and totaled 50 points.

Last season was a different story for the 2011 fifth overall pick. He was healthy scratch early in the season, he played eight games with Bridgeport of the AHL and he found himself a healthy scratch multiple times during the playoffs. He sat out Games 5 and 6 of the opening round against the Panthers, and Game 3 of the second round against the Lightning.

That gave Dylan an ear to bend when he was scratched for the Coyotes’ season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday — and Ryan also proved a helpful dispenser of advice.

“Honestly, just stay even keel,” Ryan said. “I think he’s a pretty bright kid. I think there’s a lot that can be learned from just my couple years in the league. Obviously some highs and lows and some moments that I wish I could change and some moments that have been great.

“In some respects, I paved the way not only because I was the oldest one but because of some of my experiences. I think they really learned from that. The thing I keep telling him is: be a good teammate, work as hard as you can and everything else will hopefully work out.”

That’s the lesson Dylan learned while spending many Fridays nights at the rink with his brothers as a youth player. Matthew and Dylan would play the early games and then get set for the big show when Ryan took the ice with Toronto Marlies.

“I think my family probably spent the most hours in history at that rink,” Dylan said. “We’d be there from 5:30 to 10 for three consecutive games and my parents (Chris and Trish) would sit through them all.

“We would rush out of our equipment after our games to go watch Ryan play. He didn’t lose many games and when they did it was a big shock.”

The Coyotes still have not said whether they plan to keep Strome for the entire season, or use the nine-game trial afforded them by the CHL-NHL agreement before sending him back to juniors.

“It’s easy to say just send them back to junior and they can play their 25 or 30 minutes,” coach Dave Tippett said. “Get a lot of bad habits or they can play in the NHL and mature as a pro player. Some players have that mindset and some don’t. Some are ready and some are not. You can’t lump them all into one group. Every player is different.

“He’s a good young player, was a high draft pick but we’ve got to make sure he comes along the right way. He’s put a lot of good work in this summer. His draft year, I think there was lots going on in his life; lots of other distractions. He’s come in a little bit heavier, he’s stronger, he’s improved his skating. We’ll see where it goes.”

Coyotes at Islanders

When: 4 p.m., Friday
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.
TV: FOX Sports Arizona
Radio: ESN 620 AM
Records: Coyotes 1-2. Islanders 1-3.

Injury report: Coyotes — G Mike Smith (left leg) is day to day and has returned to the Valley for more tests. LW Jamie McGinn (upper body) is on IR. D Michael Stone (knee) is on the injured non-roster list. Islanders — F Shane Prince (lower body) was placed on emergency reserve retroactive to Oct. 15).

Scouting the Islanders: New York let Kyle Okposo (Buffalo) walk in free agency and signed 30-year-old LW Andrew Ladd to a seven-year, $38.5 million deal. … F Brock Nelson leads the team with two goals and four points. … D Travis Hamonic is a minus-7 through four games. … D Ryan Pulock was recalled from Bridgeport on an emergency basis Wednesday.

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