Arizona Coyotes choose Dylan Strome with third overall selection in NHL Draft
Jun 26, 2015, 4:31 PM | Updated: 9:09 pm
The Arizona Coyotes added some offense by selecting center Dylan Strome with the third overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
“Feels amazing,” Strome said in a press conference on Friday.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Strome played for the OHL’s Erie Otters last season, where he won the league’s scoring title with 129 points in 68 games.
“If you’re going to win a Stanley Cup you have to be strong in the middle of the ice,” Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said.
“When you look at Dylan Strome in his skill set and his DNA, all he does is lead leagues in scoring and he wins on every team he plays for.”
Like the Coyotes, Strome had to deal with some of the trade rumors throughout the week.
“I obviously didn’t know what to expect coming into the day,” Strome said. “I’m proud and honored to be selected by Arizona and I can’t wait to get started.”
A linemate of number one overall pick Connor McDavid, Strome was viewed by many as the third-best prospect in the draft.
He is not looked at as an elite skater, however, and the 18-year-old is not likely to help the Coyotes for at least a season or two.
“He may not help us next season, but when you start looking two or three years down the road we are going to be thankful we have Dylan,” Maloney said.
“I’m ready to go,” Strome said. “I wish camp was tomorrow.”
