Since his early days of playing hockey in Paris, Ontario, Zac Dalpe has developed a reputation for his resiliency, grittiness, and tireless work ethic, which has helped him carve out a solid 15-year professional playing career.
Dalpe, who currently plays for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL), even at a very young age, had a feeling he was destined to be a hockey player.
“I was like every other Canadian kid who just wanted to grow up playing hockey. I came from Paris, which has a strong hockey community and I grew up with two other brothers [who played], and my mom and dad [who] were heavily involved in Paris minor hockey; so, my passion for the game just grew from there,” he said.
However, Dalpe, established himself as a stand-out player at an early age with various Brantford and Paris-based junior teams, by being committed to continually playing and training.
“I used to just shoot pucks before school while I listened to Tom Cochran and the Tragically Hip…waking everybody up. I would go to school with bloody fingers and knuckles and I got calluses and blisters on my hands from shooting. And when I came back home, I would find a pond when it was winter, and try to work on my game more that way,” he said. “During the summer, I would get back onto the driveway and shoot more pucks. I just had passion for the work [and] had a passion for the grind. I wouldn’t take no for an answer on a lot of things [and] I was very stubborn that way as a kid. But I’ve been able to carve out a 15-year playing career from that.”
After his strong play in juniors, Dalpe accepted an offer to attend Ohio State, studying and playing there for several years before getting a chance to play for the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL).
“Obviously growing up in Ontario, I wanted to get drafted into the OHL, but I was too small at the time. I was a late bloomer in that regard. And I got a chance to go to Ohio State…it didn’t really have too much appeal as in playing pro at the time, but it was four years of school, and my parents weren’t going to let me say no to that offer,” he recalled. “After playing at Ohio State and experiencing college hockey…I was able to develop my play. And since then, it’s been life in the fast lane…getting drafted to Carolina and making the team out of camp. Then, it was just fighting and grinding for a spot every year since then.”
He has also had a strong support system over the years, which has helped in his growth as a person and player.
“Scott Rex was a big influence in my life [and] Doug Stewart too…he was a big hero of mine… My mom and dad have been so important [and] my brothers have been a huge part in my success [and] there’s the Pelton family [who] own Pelton Brothers Transport. They have helped me during my career; like so many others. So, I feel like it takes a village to raise a hockey player, especially in Canada.,” he said.
Nevertheless, Dalpe has worked hard at every stop he has made especially across the six teams he has suited up for in the NHL which included the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricane and the Buffalo Sabres.
“It’s a hard league to make it to, and an even harder one to stay with [and] I was taught at an early age…whether you’re drafted in the seventh round or you’re not drafted at all, they’re going to take the best players. So, I found that out pretty quick, but I thoroughly believe that my hard work helped me to earn my jobs throughout the years. I’m 35 now, I still work as hard as I can to compete at a high level, but back in the day it was just that…it was having those summers and taking care of your body and making sacrifices and being disciplined. It’s easy to talk about it, but you have to do it and I think that’s what kept me around,” explained Dalpe.
And over the years, Dalpe has had many highlights, especially during his time in the NHL.
“Getting drafted and playing my first game and scoring my first goal with Carolina are some big highlights for me. Then moving on to Vancouver. I grew up being a Vancouver Canucks fan, so playing for them and scoring a goal in that jersey was cool. Then I went to Buffalo [which] was close to home, and I grew up going to Sabres games…And then my experience in Minnesota, where I had my first kid was another big moment for me,” he said. “I always look back on those days…they have been so special…and also, I found a little bit of a home in Cleveland and Columbus…it was nice to get back to the state of Ohio [playing for Cleveland Monsters) and becoming a captain of an AHL team. That was definitely a highlight to get noticed for my leadership…then the big highlight was playing with the Florida Panthers…ultimately, getting to play for Lord’s Stanley Cup and scoring a goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs.”
Being in the Stanley Cup finals in 2022-2023, also gave Dalpe an opportunity to relish the experience with his family.
“Just being able to share it with my three little boys and my amazing wife was a dream come true and being able to share everything that I have ever worked towards with them…is very special. And when I scored that goal my hockey life flashed before my eyes…all the good stuff, [and] all the bad stuff… So, it was a moment I will cherish. Obviously, I didn’t get a chance to win [the cup] that year, but I felt like I was a part of building something special,” recalled Dalpe.
Despite the highlights, Dalpe has had to face the many challenges that comes with playing professional hockey including injuries and a personal loss.
“I’ve had six knee surgeries, a hip done [and a] shoulder done. I have the leg issue now with some chronic pain. So just the injuries alone, I’ve had to discover myself and find out how bad I actually wanted it. Also, I lost my mom when I was 25 [and] that was something I had to overcome…I’ve always just loved the game [and] it has given me a lot and taught me how to become a man,” he said.
Currently, Dalpe is playing with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL and despite being out of play with a leg injury, he is taking the time to be with his family.
“I’ve actually been hurt twice this year and have played only nine games. On the surface, it might seem like it’s driving me crazy, but I have had a chance to spend so much more time with my wife and kids. And it’s been a good opportunity to be a dad, because as a hockey player, I have always been on the go…so now, I have had a chance to be with my family and take the kids to hockey practices and tournaments. That’s what I’ve been focused on the most right now,” he said.
However, the success for Dalpe’s enduring career has been a very simple recipe that he has shared with his children on hockey and life in general.
“I think you just have to embrace the grind. You’re obviously going to have good days, but you’re going to have bad days too, and you’re not going to have the best coaches [or] the best teammates all the time, so you got to embrace the grind. I preach two things to my kids: work hard and be a good teammate, and everything else will take care of itself [and] for me, I felt the harder I worked, the luckier I got. That’s still something I live by,” he explained. “I absolutely love what I get to do for a living [and] I love that I get to be a hockey player. Being Canadian, that’s all I ever wanted to do. Honestly, hockey, to me, has been a dream. It’s been a hell of a ride.”
