Arizona Coyotes sign Dylan Strome

The Arizona Coyotes announced Monday that they have signed Dylan Strome to a three-year entry-level contract.

BREAKING: #Coyotes Sign @stromer19 to Entry-Level Contract | Congrats Dylan & Welcome! MORE http://t.co/0qQ1f7UbGW pic.twitter.com/6v1rpfJhDu
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) July 7, 2015

Dylan Strome, a big center from the Erie Otters, was selected third overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Coyotes.

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“We are very pleased to sign Dylan to an entry-level contract,” Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said in a statement. “Dylan is a very talented player and all he’s done his entire career is lead his teams and leagues in scoring and win championships. He will be an important player for us in the future and a key building block for this franchise.”

Strome had a tremendous 2014-15 season in Erie. He scored 45 goals and 84 assists (129 points), which was good enough to make him the leading scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. He was also named the Most Sportsmanlike Player in the OHL and onto the OHL’s Second All-Star Team.

The Arizona Coyotes have a very exciting prospect pool which includes Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and Brendan Perlini.

Dan Marr, the Director of NHL Central Scouting reported the following on Strome.

"“He has that competitive edge and grittiness; he wants to succeed, wants the puck, wants to score and wants to win. He’s a skilled, driven player, a strong skater with the agility and reach that scouts love.”"

It will be interesting to see if the Coyotes will let Dylan Strome play 9 games in the NHL next season to see if he is ready. I expect the Coyotes to give Strome a trial run in the big leagues but then let his contract slide a year. If he does return to the Otters, he will likely light up the OHL again. He will also be a big part of Team Canada’s World Junior Championship squad in Finland if he is available.