Ryan Strome’s Leadership Leaves a Lasting Void for the Anaheim Ducks
Former teammates say Strome’s presence was a major stabilizing force for Anaheim’s young core, highlighting how much he meant beyond the scoresheet.
“One of the best teammates I’ve had. ” That’s how Mason McTavish describes Ryan Strome. And in many ways, that simple line says everything.
When the Calgary Flames acquired Strome at the trade deadline from the Anaheim Ducks, much of the conversation centered on his experience. He’s been through rebuilds before, played in high-pressure environments, and built a reputation as a steady veteran presence capable of guiding younger players through the early stages of their careers. Ryan Strome wins in overtime for the Flames.
Those qualities are often described as “intangibles”—traits that don’t always show up on the scoresheet but are widely valued inside NHL locker rooms. Most veteran acquisitions on rebuilding or transitioning teams come with similar narratives. What stands out in Strome’s case, however, is how consistently that reputation has been echoed by his former teammates in Anaheim.
The praise isn’t just organizational framing—it’s personal, detailed, and repeated by multiple players who spent significant time around him. A Veteran Who Set the Tone in Anaheim “He was unreal,” McTavish said to The Calgary Herald . “The young guys have an even bigger appreciation for him for welcoming us to the league and getting us sorted out early.