Tayler Strome, wife of Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome, is calling out the NHL and hockey fans for making their daughter part of the controversy surrounding the Team USA men’s hockey team.
“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,” Tayler wrote via her Instagram story on Tuesday, February 24. “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.”
The social media brouhaha began Tuesday when the NHL posted a photo of Dylan, 28, with one of the couple’s daughters, two-year-old Emerson, at Disneyland via X. The caption read, “Dylan Strome is the ultimate girl dad.”
Commenters were quick to point out that the post came just days after President Donald Trump made seemingly disparaging comments toward the Team USA women’s hockey team amid the men’s team’s gold medal celebration. The NHL eventually deleted the post.
“We have medals for you guys,” Trump, 79, told the team over the phone. “I must tell you, we‘re going to have to bring the women’s team.”
He added that “I do believe I probably would be impeached” if he did not, as the players in the locker room laughed. (Strome is both Canadian and did not participate in the 2026 Olympics.)
“Weird that you chose today to post this. Did something happen?” wrote one commenter, sarcastically.
“Not using the daughter as a human shield, my God,” another added.
Other commenters seemed to confuse Strome with a member of the Olympic team, accusing him of laughing at Trump’s remarks.
Tayler also addressed the commenters who directed their anger at 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 wrote. “This isn’t about politics. She is a child. Full stop. Do better.”
Tayler concluded, “And to everyone who has reached out or addressed this situation with more than a single brain cell, thank you.”
In addition to Emerson, Dylan and Tayler share daughters Weslie, 4, and Sutton 3 months. In November 2025, Dylan revealed that Sutton was born while he was in the middle of a game.
“I got some news for everyone,” he told the media in the locker room after the game. “While the first period was going on, my warrior of a wife had our third daughter while we were on the ice.”
Dylan, who was fighting back tears, continued, “Really proud of her. It’s tough, and you obviously want to be there for the birth of your children and [I] didn’t know it was coming this soon, but can’t wait to go see her.”
He also revealed that Tayler “felt it” a couple of hours before the puck dropped, and while Dylan hoped to get home in time, the Capitals were on the road at the time.
“There was just so many emotions going through my mind,” he said. “First of all, you want to make sure everyone’s OK, it’s a pretty scary thing. At the time of the first period, I kind of thought I was going to make it home in time, maybe. Obviously, that didn’t happen.”
