What to Know
NHL player Dylan Strome found himself in the center of controversy he didn’t ask for. Strome, who plays center for the Washington Capitals, got caught up in the recent male hockey Olympics storm. For those that don’t know, the U.S. Men’s Hockey team came under fire after a congratulatory call from President Trump. Following their gold medal winning game, the president made disparaging remarks about the women’s team, who also won. And it seemed like the NHL was trying to cover their butts.
The timing wasn’t great.
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the NHL posted a photo of 28-year-old Strome with his toddler daughter at Disneyland on their X account, Newsweek reported. “Dylan Strome is the ultimate girl dad,” they captioned the post.
Many assumed the post came as a way to smooth over the PR crisis, and didn’t hesitate to call it out. While the post has been deleted, screenshots are forever.
“Weird that you chose today to post this. Did something happen?” one person wrote. “Not using the daughter as a human shield, my God,” someone else wrote.
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Dylan Strome didn’t deserve the backlash.
It’s worth pointing out that not only is he Canadian, but he didn’t even play in the Olympics this year. But I can understand why people were upset.
Strome’s wife, Tayler Strome, called out the negativity in her Instagram Story the same day.
“We were placed into a narrative that we have absolutely nothing to do with and we certainly did not choose to have our family used in it,” she wrote, as reported by US Weekly. “You can debate adults all you want, but dragging my husband and especially my toddler into something that has nothing to do with us is beyond unacceptable.”
She didn’t leave it at that either.
Tayler continued, directly addressing those whose comments targeted their two-year-old daughter Emerson.
“The comments and messages about my TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER are some of the most vile and disgusting things I have ever read in my life,” she said. “This isn’t about politics. She is a child. Full stop. Do better.”
However, she did have kind words for some people. “And to everyone who has reached out or addressed this situation with more than a single brain cell, thank you.”
The U.S. women’s hockey team didn’t accept the invitation anyway.
According to Newsweek, the women’s team declined the president’s invitation.
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” they said in a statement on February 23. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”
