Aaron Rome facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aaron Rome
Rome with the Vancouver Canucks in March 2012
Born	(1983-09-27) September 27, 1983 (age 41) Nesbitt, Manitoba, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	218 lb (99 kg; 15 st 8 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Anaheim Ducks Columbus Blue Jackets Vancouver Canucks Dallas Stars
NHL Draft	104th overall, 2002 Los Angeles Kings
Playing career	2004–2015

Aaron Rome (born September 27, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). Rome was chosen by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 104th player picked overall.

After not signing with the Kings, he joined the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim team in 2004. He mostly played for their minor league teams. In 2007, he played one game for the Ducks during their Stanley Cup-winning season. The next season, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played two seasons with them, splitting time between the NHL and their minor league team. In July 2009, he became a free agent and signed with the Vancouver Canucks. He became a regular player for the Canucks.

After three seasons with the Canucks, he signed a three-year contract with the Dallas Stars. He played two seasons with the Stars before his contract ended early. Today, Aaron Rome works as a skills coach for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Playing Career

Junior Hockey Years

Aaron Rome played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1999 to 2004. He started with the Saskatoon Blades in 1998–99. In his first full season, he had 6 assists in 47 games. His older brother, Reagan Rome, also played defense for the Blades for a short time.

In the 2000–01 season, Rome moved to the Kootenay Ice. He scored 2 goals and 10 points that year. He then joined the Swift Current Broncos for the 2001–02 season. He improved his game, scoring 7 goals and 31 points. After this season, the Los Angeles Kings picked him in the 2002 NHL Draft. Scouts saw him as a strong defensive player who could also help with scoring.

For the 2002–03 season, Rome returned to Swift Current. He had his best junior year, scoring 12 goals and 56 points. This placed him among the top defensemen in the league. In the 2003–04 season, he was traded to his fourth WHL team, the Moose Jaw Warriors. There, he played with his younger brother, Ashton Rome. He finished that season with 10 goals and 52 points. He was recognized as one of the best defensemen in the WHL.

Time with the Anaheim Ducks

The Los Angeles Kings did not sign Rome after drafting him, so he became a free agent in 2004. On June 7, 2004, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim signed him. He began his professional career with their minor league team, the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played 74 games in his first AHL season, scoring 2 goals and 16 points. He also helped Cincinnati reach the second round of the playoffs.

For the 2005–06 season, Anaheim's AHL team changed to the Portland Pirates. Rome played there for two and a half seasons. He improved his scoring to 24 points in his second AHL year. In the 2006–07 season, Rome was called up to the Ducks. He played his first NHL game on January 2, 2007. He finished the season with Portland, scoring 25 points, including a career-high 8 goals in the AHL.

He was called up again for the Ducks' 2007 playoff run. He played in one playoff game. The Ducks went on to win the Stanley Cup that year. Even though Rome did not play in the Stanley Cup Finals, the team gave him a Stanley Cup ring. He also got to spend a day with the trophy, which is a tradition for winning players.

Playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets

Rome with Columbus Blue Jackets in April 2008

Rome started the 2007–08 season with the Portland Pirates. On November 15, 2007, he was traded from the Ducks to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was sent to the Blue Jackets' AHL team, the Syracuse Crunch. After playing 41 games there, he was called up to Columbus on February 26, 2008. He scored his first NHL goal on April 3, 2008.

After training camp in September 2008, Rome was sent back to Syracuse. He stayed with the Crunch until February 2009. Then, he was called back up to the Blue Jackets for the rest of the 2008–09 season. He played eight games with Columbus and had one assist. In the AHL, he scored 7 goals and 28 points in 48 games. Rome also played one game in the Blue Jackets' first-ever playoff season in 2009.

Time with the Vancouver Canucks

Rome became a free agent in July 2009 and signed a one-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks. He played most of the season with the Canucks, getting 4 assists in 49 games. He also played 7 games with Vancouver's minor league team, the Manitoba Moose. He scored 6 goals and 7 points in the AHL. He even played as a forward for the first time in his career during a few games with the Canucks.

In the off-season, Rome signed a new two-year contract with Vancouver. He scored his first goal as a Canuck on March 29, 2011. It was an empty-net goal in a 3–1 win. Rome played a career-high 56 games in the 2010–11 season. The Canucks won their first Presidents’ Trophy that year for having the best regular season record.

In the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, he scored his first NHL playoff goal. This happened against the San Jose Sharks in Game 2 of the third round. In Game 3 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals against the Boston Bruins, Rome was involved in a controversial hit on Bruins player Nathan Horton. Rome was given a major penalty and ejected from the game. After a review, the NHL suspended Rome for four games. This meant he missed the rest of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. The Canucks lost the series to the Bruins.

Rome started the 2011–12 season injured with a broken hand. He returned to play on November 6, 2011, against the Chicago Blackhawks. In his first four games back, Rome scored three goals and two assists. This was as many points as he had in the entire previous season.

Years with the Dallas Stars

On July 1, 2012, Rome signed a three-year contract with the Dallas Stars. He played 27 games with Dallas during the shorter 2012–13 NHL season. He recorded 5 assists and 18 penalty minutes.

In October 2013, Rome was sent to the Texas Stars of the AHL for conditioning. During the 2013–14 season, Rome played 7 games in the AHL and 25 games with the Dallas Stars. He had one assist with the NHL team. In June 2014, the Dallas Stars ended his contract early. This allowed the team to save money on their salary cap.

As a free agent, Rome tried out for the Detroit Red Wings in 2014. He was not offered a contract. He then signed a try-out contract with the Norfolk Admirals in the AHL. After two games, his try-out ended.

Personal Life

Aaron Rome grew up in Nesbitt, Manitoba, a very small community. He was one of four sons born to Dennis and Karen Rome. All four brothers played hockey and reached the minor professional level. Aaron is the only one who played in the NHL. His brother Ashton Rome was also drafted into the NHL but played in minor leagues. His other brothers, Ryan and Reagan, also played in various hockey leagues.

Aaron Rome and his wife, Adrianne, have a son named Grayson and a daughter named Logan. They spend their time away from hockey in Brandon, Manitoba.

Awards