The Hershey Bears re-signed beloved veteran forward Matt Strome to a one-year AHL deal on Tuesday.
“Hershey feels like home for me,” Strome told voice of the Bears, Zack Fisch. “When the offer presented itself, it was a no-brainer for me to say yes to come back. Hopefully we can continue the history in Hershey and hoist another Cup.”
The 27-year-old’s future has been up in the air since early May when he had an extended on-ice goodbye at Giant Center after the Bears were eliminated by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Asked if he had played his final game with Hershey then, a tearful Strome was unsure, telling RMNB’s Ian Oland, “I hope not.”
Strome, used primarily on the Bears’ checking line and penalty kill, became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after his two-year deal expired. Further complicating matters, Strome had officially entered the AHL’s “veteran status,” where roster spots are much more competitive and tenuous around the league.
“My aunts and uncles and mom and dad were following along with Hershey this summer,” Strome said. “And they’d always tell me whenever somebody signed. (Then) they [asked], ‘When’s Stromer next? When’s Stromer next?'”
Per the AHL’s development rule (which was updated in the latest CBA), of the 18 skaters a team can dress for a game (goaltenders are exempt), at least 12 must be “development players” who have played in 260 or fewer professional games in either the AHL, NHL, or European elite leagues. (Those numbers are calculated heading into each season, and a player’s status cannot change during the year.) Between the Hershey Bears and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Strome has now played in 289 regular-season games, meaning moving forward, he will occupy one of six veteran spots available for any AHL team he suits up for.
Although his veteran status likely complicated talks, Strome earned his opportunity to remain with the Bears, improving his point production in each of his four seasons with the team. During the 2025-26 campaign, he recorded 23 points (8g, 15a) in 55 games, posting career highs in points, assists, and game-winning goals despite missing 17 games due to injury.
Not only did Strome’s on-ice production increase, but the 6-foot-4 forward evolved into more of a leader as well, serving as an alternate captain last season. The Bears will continue to lean heavily on him and his experience in his fifth year in Hershey, as captain Aaron Ness retired in June and the Bears’ roster will be young once again, likely sporting first-round picks Terik Parascak and Lynden Lakovic.
“[T]hat’s something for me that I took a big step forward (with) and ultimately that helped me out with my statistics during the year,” Strome said of his leadership. “Just having that trust factor from [Bears head coach Derek King] that I can be reliable and he can play me on the fourth line, he can play me on the first line or power play, penalty kill, whatever it is. I’m going to have a good mindset every day and be ready to teach those young guys what it’s like to be a pro.”
While Strome is the younger brother of Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome and Calgary Flames forward Ryan Strome, he’s become a legend in his own right in Hershey. He most notably scored the 2024 Calder Cup-winning goal in overtime for the Bears, securing the team’s 13th championship.
Hershey played off Strome’s big goal with its teaser announcement on social media, playing Fisch’s call of his Cup winner over animated messages from fans hoping he would return to the team.
Now, Strome will play more games in front of a home crowd that adores him and try to help a transitioning Bears team looking to take the next step.
“Yeah, it’s unbelievable,” Strome said. “I just can’t wait to get back and start going again.”
