'The Saddledome Is Special'

As we draw nearer to the start of the regular season, the finality of this Scotiabank Saddledome Farewell Season is starting to sink in.

The countdown is on. The nostalgia and fond memories are in everyone’s mind. But what goes on in the mind of an NHL player experiencing a final compaign in an historic arena?

This season will be Ryan Strome’s second kick at the can, in that respect. Strome broke into the NHL with the New York Islanders, and at the age of 21, he got to go through a similar experience at the venerable Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the original home of the Isles when they joined the NHL (with the Flames) in 1972.

Strome's first NHL game was at the Coliseum. So was his first NHL goal.

He didn’t take those experiences for granted. And he’s making sure to carry the same sentiments from 2014-15 into this season.

“I feel like everyone's got a Saddledome story,” Strome shared during a conversation inside the Flames dressing room. “Whether it's Stampede time, or Calgary Flames, the Stanley Cup (in 1989) or 2004. I mean, I feel like everyone's got like a connection, right? And I feel like as a player, it's a cool honour to like be a part of that and represent that for people as a farewell. At the same time, though, I think that this is a little bit more unique because the rink's going right beside. So I think for people, it's very easy to get excited because they see what's going on right next door. 

“It’s a great fan base. And they deserve a state of the art facility. And it'll be great to see the way they honour this year and all the great memories, all the little sentimental stuff.”

Strome got in his first game action of this year’s abbreviated preseason in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over the Canucks at the ‘Dome, and the 33-year-old is sure to be counted on as a veteran voice and a presence down the middle of the ice for Head Coach Ryan Huska’s squad once the season gets started for real Oct. 1.

But back to Long Island.

At the time, the 2014-15 campaign was meant to be the final season at Nassau Coliseum (the Islanders wound up moving back temporarily three years later), but that winter, Strome was a second-year NHLer, on his way to a 17-goal, 50-point year under bench boss Jack Capuano.

One game sticks out. Trailing in their first-round series against the Washington Capitals, New York faced a must-win scenario on home ice in Game 6..

“It was a do-or-die game, and Game 7 was in Washington,” Strome recalled. “So it was a potential that could have been the last game in the arena. I remember, we were sitting in our dressing room. It was a similar room (he said, peering around the Flames locker-room), like the smaller, kind of homey feel, and the whole thing was vibrating. It was out of control. 

“I had goosebumps and still do, thinking about those memories. I know I was young, but for whatever reason, I feel like I soaked it in and enjoyed it.”

New York wound up winning that game before ultimately losing to the Capitals in the Game 7 decider. But six years later (and after Strome had moved on from the club), the Isles joined rare company, too. They became one of three NHL clubs all-time (joining the 1982-83 Flames and 1994-95 Quebec Nordiques) to end their tenure in an arena with a playoff victory.

But more than individual matches, Strome recalls the fans, particularly in those battles against their cross-town rivals from Manhattan.

“Rangers-Islanders, I was on both sides of it, (the crowd) is like 50-50,” he said. “You look up and there'd be these old security jackets and there'd be like, triple the amount (of personnel). I felt like we were playing in a scene from ‘Slap Shot’ or something, you know, and I think for so many people, that was their childhood. 

“I would see so many parents bring their young kids to the game, and those parents were kids once coming to the game. It's just a tradition in the city and I feel like Calgary's the exact same.”

The Scotiabank Saddledome’s Farewell Season is focused on similar history. One stroll through the concourse, or the hallways on event level involves an immersion in moments from a bygone era. Stanley Cup runs, Olympic moments, memories to last a lifetime.

But for Strome, and this year’s iteration of the Flames, it’s just as important to provide fans looking for one last night out (or more) at the ‘Dome with frozen moments to take home.

“It's something that you don't want to take lightly. As players you're here, you're getting paid a lot of money, and you want to represent the fans in the city as best you can,” he said. “And to a lot of people, the Saddledome is special, so you want to bring a good effort and make sure that you're making people proud of their team. 

“That just comes with the territory being an athlete, putting on the jersey and representing the ‘Dome and the city of Calgary.” 

From Day 1, Strome has bought in here. Acquired from the Ducks at the Trade Deadline last March, the veteran pivot has made an impact, be it on the ice or as a mentor for Calgary’s emergent young core.

He’s proud to wear the crest. He’s proud to represent the city.

And ready to jump in with both skates into another Farewell Season.

“It's a great city. A lot of hard-working people,” Strome said. Everyone wears jerseys. I love that. 

“I feel like our team can embrace a little bit of this year and maybe try and take some of that momentum.”