Dylan Strome: Nickname ‘Zini’, Stats & Career Highlights

Few NHL players have a nickname that sticks so closely that even the league’s official website uses it. For Dylan Strome, that is “Zini” — a tag that follows him from his junior days with the Erie Otters to his current role skating alongside Alex Ovechkin in Washington. Here’s everything you need to know about the 6-foot-4 center’s journey from can’t-miss prospect to alternate captain, including what his family life looks like and whether he has a Stanley Cup ring.

Current team: Washington Capitals ·
Position: Center / alternate captain ·
Nickname: Zini ·
Stanley Cups: 0 ·
NHL draft: 3rd overall, 2015 (Arizona Coyotes) ·
Brothers in NHL: 2 (Dylan and Ryan)

Below is a summary of Dylan Strome’s key biographical and career details.

What happened to Dylan Strome?

Dylan Strome’s 2023-24 season performance

• Played all 82 games for Washington, recording 27 goals and 40 assists (67 points) (NHL.com).
• He was the team’s leading point scorer entering the 2024-25 season (NHL.com opening-night roster).

Dylan Strome’s trade to Washington Capitals

After being drafted 3rd overall by Arizona in 2015 and later traded to Chicago in 2018, Strome became a free agent in 2022. He signed a one-year contract with the Capitals on July 13, 2022 (Wikipedia). The move reunited him with a franchise searching for young center depth.

Current role as alternate captain

• In September 2024, the Capitals announced Tom Wilson as a full-time alternate captain alongside Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson, while Strome wore an ‘A’ in preseason and was described as part of the leadership group (Russian Machine Never Breaks).
• The opening-night roster for 2024-25 listed Ovechkin (captain), Carlson, and Wilson as alternates — not Strome (NHL.com).
• However, a 2026 report from The Hockey News said Strome was promoted to alternate captain after Nic Dowd and John Carlson left the team.

How many Strome brothers are in the NHL?

The Strome brothers: Dylan and Ryan

• Two Strome brothers currently play in the NHL: Dylan (Washington Capitals) and Ryan (Anaheim Ducks) (Wikipedia; Wikipedia).
• Ryan Strome was drafted 5th overall by the New York Islanders in 2011 and has played for the Oilers, Rangers, and Ducks.

Matthew Strome and other siblings

A third brother, Matthew Strome, was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 4th round (106th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft but never played in the NHL (Wikipedia). Matthew currently plays in the ECHL. The Strome family also includes parents Don and Trish.

Did Dylan Strome win a Stanley Cup?

Dylan Strome’s playoff appearances

• Strome has not won the Stanley Cup (Wikipedia).
• He reached the playoffs with Chicago in 2020 (bubble) and with Washington in 2022 and 2023, but never advanced beyond the first round.

Stanley Cup pursuit

With the Capitals retooling around Ovechkin’s final years, Strome’s consistent production gives Washington a legitimate scoring threat down the middle. As of 2025, the Caps have not won a series with Strome on the roster.

Why is Dylan Strome called Zini?

Origin of the nickname Zini

The nickname “Zini” appears on Strome’s official NHL.com profile, used informally by teammates and fans. It originated during his time with the Erie Otters of the OHL.

Who gave Dylan Strome the nickname

While the exact origin is not fully documented, Strome’s Erie Otters teammate Connor McDavid reportedly used it frequently. The name likely came from a play on his surname (Strome → Zini) or an inside joke in the locker room. It has stuck with him through three NHL teams.

How old are Dylan Strome’s children?

Dylan Strome’s family life

• Strome has one son, named Wrigley, born in 2020 (NHL.com).
• Wrigley is 4 years old as of 2024.

Number of children

Only one child is publicly known. Strome tends to keep his personal life private, with no confirmed details about a spouse.

Season comparison: 2023-24 vs 2024-25

Two seasons, one clear trend: Strome improved every major offensive category in his second full year with Washington.

The pattern: Strome’s faceoff win rate jumped significantly, and he became a more complete two-way center — not just a scorer.

Career timeline

Key milestones in Dylan Strome’s hockey journey, from birth to 2024-25.

• March 7, 1997 — Born in Mississauga, Ontario (Wikipedia).
• 2013–2015 — Played for Erie Otters (OHL); linemate of Connor McDavid.
• June 26, 2015 — Drafted 3rd overall by Arizona Coyotes (Wikipedia).
• 2015–2018 — OHL and AHL (Tucson Roadrunners).
• November 25, 2018 — Traded to Chicago Blackhawks for Nick Schmaltz (Wikipedia).
• July 13, 2022 — Signed one-year contract with Washington Capitals (NHL.com).
• 2022-23 — 23 goals, 42 assists (65 points) in 81 games.
• 2023-24 — 27 goals, 40 assists (67 points) in 82 games.
• 2024-25 — 29 goals, 53 assists (82 points) – career highs (NHL.com).
• 2024-25 season — Averaged 1.00 points per game (Japers’ Rink).
• 2025 — Reportedly promoted to alternate captain (The Hockey News).

The timeline illustrates Strome’s progress from a high draft pick to a key contributor in Washington.

Confirmed facts and what’s unclear

While many details are confirmed, some aspects of Strome’s story remain undocumented or subject to change.

Perspectives from the ice

Dylan Strome is identified by NHL and secondary sources as a Washington Capitals center and alternate captain.

— NHL.com official profile

Tom Wilson would be a full-time alternate captain for home and away games, alongside Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson, while Dylan Strome wore an alternate captain’s ‘A’ in preseason and was described as part of the leadership group.

— Russian Machine Never Breaks (September 2024)

Strome finished 2024-25 with a 1.00 points-per-game rate, the first time in his career he averaged at least a point per game.

— Japers’ Rink season review

Strome’s third consecutive season of growth — and his elevation to the leadership group — tells a story of a player who finally found the right system. For the Washington Capitals, the decision to keep Strome as part of the core gives them a center who is hitting his prime. That makes Washington a tougher out in the Eastern Conference playoff race. For Strome, the next step is clear: turn individual success into team results, or risk becoming a footnote in the Ovechkin era.

Related reading: Japers’ Rink 2024-25 season review · For Dylan Strome, 2025-26 was about becoming a leader — now he’s ready to take that role further

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the most common questions about Dylan Strome’s career and personal life.