The best unexpected event that has ever happened in Strom's life was merely getting drafted into the SMJHL and, by proxy, getting drafted into the SHL.  As I've mentioned in some backstory before (See:  Getting the Call series), Strom's age had always been against him, even after playing in beer leagues around St. Louis.  He had all but given up on the idea of making it to the majors and then boom!  He gets a call saying that he was being scouted by the Anaheim Outlaws, whom also later lead him to a 4-Star Cup Championship.

How did Strom handle it?  The same way he's been handling it since getting that call:  working his ass off (trying to max earn) in order to prove that even at his older age demographic he can still keep up with the younger all-stars of the league.  Though, here lately, his performance has been less than spectacular.  Perhaps age is finally catching up to him?  Only time will tell.