Fort Erie, ON – June 19, 2025
As the summer heat settles over Fort Erie, Dylan Strome is already thinking ahead to the cool intensity of the rink and the roar of the hometown crowd. After hoisting the Kehler Cup last season in a run that electrified the Niagara region, the 28-year-old centre isn’t dwelling on past glory. Instead, he’s focused on what’s coming — and who’s coming with him.
“I’m fired up,” Strome said with a grin, standing outside the Fort Erie Arena during a youth hockey camp. “Getting the chance to play with Brandon Hagel and Sam Reinhart this year? It’s special. These are guys I’ve battled against, respected for years — now we’re on the same side, and I think we’re going to do something pretty special together.”
The Fort Erie Falcons, a team once seen as a small-market underdog, has quickly become one of the league’s most dynamic squads. Much of that success can be credited to Strome’s leadership and playmaking, but the front office hasn’t stood still.
In a pair of high-profile offseason acquisitions, the Falcons brought in Forsberg, the relentless two-way winger with a nose for clutch goals, and Reinhart, the cerebral power forward with a scoring touch and a calming presence in the room.
“We’ve got chemistry already,” Strome said after a recent informal skate. “Reino’s got such great vision and patience — he slows the game down when he has to, then speeds it up when you least expect it. And Hags? That guy never quits. He’s always in the right spot, and he makes the rest of us look good.”
While the trio hasn’t yet hit the ice in a game that counts, early signs from training skates and video sessions have Falcons fans buzzing about the potential of what some are calling “The SHR Line.” But for Strome, individual stats and accolades aren’t the priority.
“We’re all here for one reason,” he said. “To bring Fort Erie another cup. Last year was unforgettable — that parade, the connection with the fans, the way the town rallied around us. But we’re not satisfied. We want to prove it wasn’t a fluke. We want to build a legacy.”
As camp approaches, there’s a quiet confidence in the locker room. The Falcons know the league will be gunning for them now. The target’s on their back — and Strome welcomes it.
“That pressure? That’s a privilege,” he said. “It means you’re doing something right. We’ve got the group to do it again. And with guys like Forbersg and Sam in the mix now? I like our chances.”
The road to the 2026 Kehler Cup will be long, and nothing is guaranteed. But one thing is certain — Dylan Strome is ready, his linemates are ready, and Fort Erie is already dreaming of another championship summer.
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