He is from Paris, Ontario and so far has:
- 62 goals in 133 AHL games
- 14 goals in 152 NHL regular season games
A few stats does not tell the whole story though... Ever been through multiple injuries or not been on the first, second or third line? ...
Zac and Cassandra Dalpe with their two children (third child will arrive soon!)
On April 6, 2021, in a game playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets "[Zac] Dalpe was overcome with emotion when the puck went in the net, spinning away from the net, pumping his fist and flashing a smile that was a mile wide when he was embraced by [Max] Domi". Why was this goal different than any other? It was Zac's first NHL goal in almost 5 years!
The rest of the story:
On February 25, 2021, Zac Dalpe was called up to the Columbus Blue Jackets to serve on the "taxi squad" where he practiced and travelled with the team in case they needed him. He went more than a month without actually playing in a game and when he did get to play in this game, it was as a fourth-line forward "to provide energy and a little sandpaper. He's filled that role well, and the goal Tuesday vs. Tampa Bay was the cherry on top."
At 31, Zac has been playing well in the AHL and has even overcome three knee surgeries pushing for the moments he gets an opportunity to play in the NHL. What really stands out about Zac is his perseverance in overcoming obstacles with his positive, hard working attitude to keep contributing to the team and to prove to himself that he can compete at the NHL level.
Zac said in a post game interview "I still want to prove to others and myself that I can play at this level... Getting the goal is the cherry on top and now it's just waking up tomorrow and trying to be the consistent player that I've been searching to be my whole career". Showing that his hard work ethic does not stop after a goal.
A positive attitude is contagious (in a good way):
Nick Foligno said Zac "... understands where he fits but also has the hunger to play in this league and has the ability... He just never complains and just keeps working. He's just been going about his business and you really pull for guys like that."
Max Domi said Zac is "... such a good guy. A very resilient individual. With everything he's been through, it's pretty special to see. The smile on his face says it all. He's such an awesome dude, and he deserves it."
Supporting others:
In a text from Columbus Blue Jackets Captain Nick Faligno we see an example of how leaders and team members support and encourage each other at all levels of hockey.
We, in Paris, are proud of Zac's accomplishments on the ice but we are just as proud of his resilience and the impact he is having off the ice. For more on this story see the NHL article here