Erie, Pennsylvania – The Erie Otters announced today that Dylan Strome will serve as the team’s captain for the 2015-16 Ontario Hockey League season.

“It’s obviously a huge honor,” Strome said, “You see the guys that have been named captain before, two of my closest friends, I learned a lot from Connor Brown and Connor McDavid. If they think of me as the leader of this team, I’m going to do my best to get another championship to Erie.”

Strome, the 18-year-old Mississauga, Ontario native, becomes the 11th full-time captain in team history. The third year center fills the captaincy vacancy left by Connor McDavid who graduated to the NHL.

“We’re very excited to have Dylan as our next captain,” said Erie Otters Head Coach Kris Knoblauch. “He’s been here over the last few years and has learned from some excellent role models in our past two captains. I think the leadership qualities that he brings will allow him to be able to continue the example set before him by previous leaders.”

The reigning OHL and CHL scoring champion was recently returned to Erie from the Arizona Coyotes. Strome was selected third overall by Arizona at the 2015 NHL Draft. His 129 point campaign in 2014-15 set team records for points and assists with 84.

Strome will don the “C” Friday night at the Erie Insurance Arena when the Otters take on the Niagara IceDogs at 7 p.m.