Through the Washington Capitals, Dylan Strome and Conor Sheary formed a close friendship, along with their daughters, Weslie and Mila.
ARLINGTON, V.A. -- For Conor Sheary and Dylan Strome, a friendship between them and their families during their tenures with the Washington Capitals seemed like kismet -- and a lot of it is thanks to their daughters.
When Strome signed a one-year deal with the Capitals last summer, he and his wife, Tayler, started to get to know his teammates and their families through social media and texting. There, she connected with Jordan Sheary, and before the families even met in person, the Shearys and the Stromes realized that their daughters, Mila Sheary and Weslie Strome, were just one month apart.
Then, they found they shared another connection, as Strome ended up being seated in the locker room right next to Sheary at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Through proximity, the two formed a bond, but they grew even closer through being "girl dads." And, in turn, Mila and Weslie, both two years old, became inseparable.
"There's a lot of boys on this team, I feel like, and to have another girl that's the same age, it was kind of forced on them, but they're best friends," Sheary told The Hockey News.
Strome and Sheary would often bring their daughters out on the ice and teach them to skate together, with Weslie rocking hockey skates and Mila in figure skates.
"When we do things like [that] and bring them on the ice, I think that goes a long way," Strome said.
Away from the rink, the families would get together for playdates and even had a joint birthday party for the two. The Stromes also bought a house across the street from the Shearys, making them neighbors for a short bit.
"They hug each other; they always want to see each other," Sheary said.
The kids also have quite a bit in common. Strome said that they have similar interests and likes and dislikes, and they also resemble each other quite a bit, too.
"It's funny how similar they look. We get asked all the time if they're sisters or cousins," Strome laughed. "I think they enjoy each other's company... the moms are pretty similar [too], but I think they enjoy each other and have fun."
To open free agency, Sheary signed a three-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning which will take the family to Florida. However, through social media, the families still plan to stay in touch given their daughters' -- and their fathers' -- tight friendship.
"Having that for our wives especially... it's really cool," Sheary said.