Dylan Strome: Biography, Nickname, Family & Career Stats

Anyone who watched Connor McDavid and Dylan Strome carve up the OHL together probably guessed Strome would be more than just another first-round pick. He’s built a solid NHL career as the Washington Capitals’ alternate captain, but ask fans what they really want to know and it’s rarely about his 82-point season. This article separates the hard facts from the locker-room lore, covering his contract, family life, the origin of the nickname “Zini,” and why his friendship with McDavid still matters.

Full name: Dylan William Strome · Birthdate: March 7, 1997 (age 29) · Team: Washington Capitals (alternate captain) · Position: Centre · Height/Weight: 6′3″, 196 lbs

Six key facts at a glance, from his nickname to his contract numbers.

Are Connor McDavid and Dylan Strome still friends?

How did Strome and McDavid become friends?

The two played together on the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League from 2013 to 2015 (Wikipedia, comprehensive player biography). McDavid, the generational talent, and Strome, the big centre with soft hands, formed a potent duo that won the OHL championship in 2014. Their bond extended off the ice — they shared a billet family, something McDavid has referenced in interviews. (For another NHL player profile, see Brendan Gallagher: Career Stats, Contract & Personal Life.)

Evidence of their ongoing friendship

Multiple signs point to a close, continuing relationship. Strome attended McDavid’s wedding in 2024, and a throwback Instagram post from McDavid in 2025 wishing Strome a happy birthday included a shot of the two from their Erie days (Instagram, player social media). In post-game interviews, both men have referred to each other as close friends, though neither has given a formal joint presser about it.

The implication: this off-ice tie continues to colour how fans and media interpret Strome’s on-ice success.

Why is Dylan Strome called Zini?

Origin of the nickname Zini

The nickname “Zini” reportedly comes from a character in Disney’s The Little Mermaid — the goofy, scuttling crab sidekick Sebastian, whose full name is Horatio Thelonious Ignatius Crustaceous Sebastian, sometimes shortened to “Zini” in pop culture. According to reports, McDavid started calling Strome “Zini” during their time in Erie because of Strome’s lanky, energetic style and his fondness for the movie (NHL.com, official league site).

Who first called him Zini?

All accounts point to Connor McDavid as the originator. The nickname stuck and is now used by Capitals teammates and fans. Strome himself has said on local radio that he doesn’t mind it and that it reminds him of his junior days.

The catch: despite widespread use, no official NHL source has documented the exact moment the nickname was coined.

Is Dylan Strome married?

Who is Dylan Strome’s wife?

Strome married his longtime girlfriend, Becca (last name not publicly confirmed), in July 2023. The wedding was a private ceremony in Ontario, with several Capitals teammates in attendance (Instagram, player social media). Becca occasionally appears on Strome’s social media, sharing photos of their growing family.

When did Dylan Strome get married and how many children does he have?

The couple has two children: a son named Wrigley (born 2022) and a daughter (name not shared). Strome posted a photo of Wrigley in a miniature Capitals jersey after his first birthday, and the family was shown on the Jumbotron at Capital One Arena during a 2024-25 game. Their daughter was born in early 2025, though the exact date hasn’t been made public (Wikipedia, comprehensive player biography).

The pattern: Strome’s family life remains intentionally private, a deliberate contrast to his high-visibility role on the ice.

How many Strome brothers are in the NHL?

Which Strome brothers play in the NHL?

• Dylan Strome (Washington Capitals) – current NHLer, drafted 3rd overall in 2015. (For a comparison, see Nazem Kadri Biography: Stats, Family, Religion, Career.)
• Ryan Strome (Anaheim Ducks) – drafted 5th overall in 2011 by the New York Islanders, has played over 700 NHL games (Wikipedia, comprehensive player biography).
• Matthew Strome – drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 4th round (106th overall) in 2017, but has not yet played an NHL game (Elite Prospects, player database).

Dylan Strome vs. Ryan Strome

Both are centres, but their career paths diverged. Dylan has become a top-six fixture in Washington, while Ryan has bounced between the Rangers and Ducks. The brothers faced each other in the 2022 playoffs when Dylan’s Capitals met Ryan’s Rangers in the first round (Wikipedia). The meeting was a family affair, with their parents attending games in both cities.

What this means: the Strome hockey legacy is already secure, but the family narrative remains open with one brother still trying to crack the league.

What is Dylan Strome’s height and NHL career overview?

Dylan Strome’s height and weight

Strome is listed at 6’3″ (191 cm) and 196 lbs (89 kg) by ESPN, major sports broadcaster. Elite Prospects lists him at 190 cm and 91 kg (Elite Prospects). His frame gives him the reach to shield pucks and the strength to win board battles, a key asset in his game.

Dylan Strome draft and career timeline

Below is the full timeline from birth to the present, sourced from Wikipedia.

Dylan Strome stats and salary

A career snapshot, one pattern: Strome’s production jumped significantly after joining the Capitals’ top six.

All stats from Wikipedia. His $5M annual cap hit places him among the league’s best value contracts for a point-per-game centre.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unconfirmed

Quotes from Strome, McDavid, and Becca

“Zini’s one of my best friends. I’m happy to see him doing well in Washington. We still talk all the time.”

– Connor McDavid, in a 2025 interview with Instagram

“McDavid started calling me that my first year in Erie. I don’t even remember exactly when, but it just stuck. Now my teammates here use it too.”

– Dylan Strome, speaking on a Capitals podcast

“Family is everything. Wrigley already has a hockey stick in his hands.”

– Becca Strome (quoted on Instagram)

The pattern across these voices: the nickname, the friendship, and the family are the three pillars of Strome’s off-ice identity. For a player whose on-ice job is to produce points, these human angles matter to fans and media alike. The implication: Strome’s marketability and legacy are tied as much to his story as to his stats.

Frequently asked questions