Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall has developed a deep obsession with hockey, closely paralleling that of Dylan Strome. The Capitals’ 2023 second-round draft pick revealed that watching every <a href=”https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL game is his primary hobby, often gathering with his Western Hockey League (WHL) teammates to study the play of professional players. Cristall’s commitment to the sport extends beyond practice, reflecting a dedication that fuels his development as a player.
In a recent appearance on the Break the Ice podcast with Mike Vogel, Cristall described his routine:
“I love the game. I’m, you know, a hockey junkie. I’m always looking at who’s winning and, you know, standings and things like that,”
he said. He added,
“Once the games started rolling at four o’clock (Pacific Time) in the NHL, it’s kind of all the boys got together and, you know, maybe sit on the couch and just kind of watch the games throughout the night and kind of talk about it.”
Watching NHL Games Fuels Cristall’s Development and Connection to the Capitals
During the 2024-25 season, Cristall split his time between the Kelowna Rockets and Spokane Chiefs in the WHL. Despite his busy schedule, he remained deeply invested in following the Capitals and their captain, Alex Ovechkin, especially throughout Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record.
Cristall recalled his excitement watching the milestone moment when Ovechkin scored goal No. 895:
“I was super excited… I was, you know, obviously keeping really close tabs on how they were doing. Obviously, the chase was pretty incredible to watch, how he did that,”
he said. He remembered the timing of the record-breaking goal vividly:
“I remember the time he broke it. I think it was like a matinee game, so, it was like nine o’clock in the morning for me on a Sunday after, after I played the night before… I set my alarm to get up and then watch that. So, yeah, it was just a pretty, pretty fun year to watch the Caps… It was a blast.”
A Close Comparison Between Cristall and Dylan Strome’s Statistical Enthusiasm
Cristall sees a clear connection between himself and Dylan Strome, the Capitals’ centerman known for his encyclopedic knowledge of hockey statistics.
“I feel like, like, Stromer, when I was here, he knew all the stats of everything, and it was pretty cool to see that. So, I feel like I’m, you know, pretty similar to him in that way,”
Cristall shared.
Mike Vogel noted that Strome is recognized for recalling every shift and play from games across the league. Contrastingly, veteran TJ Oshie tends to watch only games in which he is playing. Vogel described Cristall as someone who combines both aspects: a detailed study of the game like Strome and the competitive focus of Oshie. This blend adds a unique edge to Cristall’s hockey intelligence.
Cristall explained,
“I think, you know, that helps as well with getting better just watching, you know, the best players play hockey, it helps a lot. So my nights are usually filled with hockey.”
His nightly routine of analyzing NHL games has become an essential part of his growth as a player.
From Childhood Fan to Student of the Game
Cristall’s obsession with hockey has been lifelong, beginning well before his draft day. He credits extensive game watching with the foundation of his skills, stating,
“I think growing up, it’s just watching a lot of hockey kind of like I do now. I think I take stuff out of lots of players games that I kind of want to implement, and then I kind of go on the ice and try those things, whether it’s in a practice or I just go out there to top on open ice by myself and do those things.”
Growing up in Vancouver, Cristall admired defensive legends and their unique styles. He was captivated by the Vancouver Canucks’ Henrik and Daniel Sedin, whose precise puck handling and teamwork left a lasting impression.
“I was a pretty big Canucks fan, growing up being from Vancouver, and just watching the Sedins and how they worked the puck and worked well together. It was just magnificent to watch,”
he said.
“I think they always knew where they were, and I just loved their give and goes and how they played hockey.”
Influences from Current League Stars and Capitals Veterans
Among modern NHL stars, Cristall lists Nikita Kucherov and Mitch Marner as players he admires. Since arriving in Washington two summers ago, those influences have expanded to include former Capitals like TJ Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom. Cristall appreciates how Oshie’s relentless competitiveness and net-front presence shaped his own playing mindset.
“Obviously getting drafted here there’s a couple guys like Oshie, you mentioned, and then [Nicklas] Backstrom, just how their brains worked, and how Oshie just always competed and got to the net,”
he explained.
“I think there’s a lot of things that I could take out of that too.”
Learning the Ropes from Close Friends in the NHL
Cristall benefits greatly from his close friendships with NHL stars Connor Bedard and Kent Johnson, who provide insights into professional hockey life. Though mindful not to overstep, Cristall regularly seeks advice and knowledge from these NHL players.
“I’m always trying to pick their brain a little bit. You don’t want to be, you know, too nudgy,”
he said.
“But at the end of the day, like the guys that I’m with, Connor, and Kent Johnson lives in my house, who plays in Columbus, they’re always kind of giving advice, and, you know, helping me to kind of see things, or what they see at the pro level in the NHL.”
Bedard was the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and has been a close friend of Cristall’s since they were five years old. Johnson, a high draft pick himself in 2021, lives with Cristall, making their guidance invaluable.
Reflecting on these relationships, Cristall shared,
“I feel like I’m pretty lucky to be in my situation where, you know, maybe I get a little bit of a heads up on how things worked and, you know, what they did to kind of see some improvement. They’re such nice people to kind of, you know, help me out and not keep any of that to themselves. So, pretty grateful.”
Outlook for Cristall’s Future with the Capitals
As a 20-year-old winger entering the Capitals’ training camp, Andrew Cristall stands out for his intellectual approach to the game and relentless desire to absorb hockey knowledge. His hockey obsession, mirrored by elite players like Dylan Strome, provides a firm foundation that could translate into success at the NHL level. With the support of veteran influences, close NHL friends, and his own dedication to studying the game, Cristall’s potential to earn a spot on the Capitals’ opening night roster looks promising.
This intellectual hunger for the game, combined with his on-ice talent, positions Cristall as a hopeful prospect whose analytical and passionate approach may help elevate his career in Washington and beyond.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is Dylan Strome’s wife?
A. Strome and his wife, Tayler Strome (formerly known as McMahon), are parents to two daughters.
Q. How good is Dylan Strome?
A. Dylan Strome has an overall rating of 86 in NHL 25. He plays as a Center for the Washington Capitals in professional hockey.
Q. Is Dylan Strome married?
A. The Stromes got married in August 2022. In 2023, they welcomed their second daughter.