Former Duck Andrew Cogliano played a big part in the free-agent center signing a five-year deal in July, and Strome likes what he sees so far in the team.
IRVINE — A player from the Ducks’ past helped shape the organization’s future.Center Ryan Strome, who had played the bulk of his career for New York-area teams, was doing his due diligence heading into free agency and contemplating a move to Anaheim. Strome scored a career-high 21 goals this past season with the New York Rangers and had options.
“He said he wants to live here maybe one day when he’s done playing. He couldn’t talk highly enough about it. He talked about some of the older guys that are still here and that it would have been perfect for me. He’s been pretty bang on.” Strome and his wife, Sydney, have two young daughters. Their oldest is 2, and the move from his native Toronto to Orange County involved a complete family effort.
“What I expected is exactly what I see,” Strome said. “I see a lot of really good young players with a ton of potential, mixed in with a bunch of really good veterans that are underrated. If you look at Silfverberg, Cam Fowler, Shattenkirk, Klingberg, it’s a mix that’s good for a young team.