Zac Dalpe Retires from Professional Ice Hockey
Zac Dalpe, a former player for the Carolina Hurricanes, has officially retired from professional ice hockey at the age of 35. Drafted by the Hurricanes with the 45th pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Dalpe made an immediate impact, earning an assist during his debut game, a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild.
Career Highlights
Over the course of his four seasons with Carolina, he participated in 41 games with the main roster, scoring his inaugural NHL goal on January 1, 2011, against the New Jersey Devils. Despite his early promise, Dalpe struggled to secure consistent playing time, averaging under 10 minutes on the ice per game.
His career took a turn when he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks, alongside teammate Jeremy Welsh, in exchange for Kellan Tochkin and a fourth-round pick in the upcoming 2014 draft (which turned out to be Josh Wesley). After his time with the Canucks, Dalpe’s career saw him move frequently between the NHL and AHL, representing five different teams throughout his journey. Notably, he served as captain for both the Cleveland Monsters and the Charlotte Checkers during his tenure in the AHL.
Statistics and Reflections
In total, Dalpe played in 168 NHL games, achieving 16 goals and 32 points, while in the AHL, he participated in 574 games, netting 220 goals and accumulating 392 points.
Reflecting on his career, Dalpe expressed gratitude for the experiences and relationships he formed along the way, stating, “I’m proud of what I got to do, but more importantly I’m so proud of who I got to do it with. I appreciate every single person that was along for the greatest ride of my life. A Canadian kid got to be a hockey player for 15 years. In the beautiful words of Gord Downie – I got to go, it’s been a pleasure doing business with you.”
Carolina Hurricanes Updates
In related news, the Carolina Hurricanes are making headlines with recent acquisitions and developments, such as signing Nikolaj Ehlers and their plans for upcoming free agency. Local fans can stay updated on all the latest happenings concerning the team through various sports news outlets.
