Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome has been happy to be on the same side as Tom Wilson over the last few years, and now, he's rooting for him to make Team Canada.
Strome, who is with Wilson and other NHL stars at the Smilezone Celebrity Golf Tournament up in Ontario this week, said in an interview with TSN's Mark Masters that Wilson should be a lock for the roster.
"I fully believe Tom should be on the team," Strome said. "There's no question. There's no one like him. In a tournament like that, he strikes fear into opponents' eyes on a shift-by-shift basis. I'm very glad he's on my team and I don't have to play against him anymore."
Wilson is coming off a career year with the Capitals, where he put up 33 goals and 32 assists for 65 points in 81 games, while also recording 233 hits — the 15th most in the league — and 100 penalty minutes.
"It is (motivating). You think a lot about it, and just to have your name in the mix at all is a huge privilege," Wilson said. "It's something as a kid you could never even dream of... I'm just going to work as hard as I can, do whatever I can, play well and hopefully it takes care of itself."
Strome, meanwhile, is coming off a career year where he led Washington with 82 points in 82 games. While he said that Canada is already deep down the middle, he is happy to be in the conversation when it comes to consideration for that team.
"I know Canada's got some pretty good centers that they have in their repertoire. Even to be asked that question is an honor," Strome said, adding he feels a "little" motivation to try and go for a spot on the team.
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be held in Italy in February.
