Zac Dalpe Bio
Zac Dalpe (born November 1, 1989) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played across the National Hockey League (NHL) and the American Hockey League (AHL) from 2010 to 2025. A right-shooting centre listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 193 pounds, Dalpe was selected 45th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Over a 15-season professional career, he appeared for six NHL clubs and several AHL affiliates, including the Charlotte Checkers and the Cleveland Monsters.
Drafted out of junior hockey in Western Canada, Dalpe chose the collegiate route at Ohio State University before turning professional. He later earned a reputation as a dependable depth forward and was named captain of the Charlotte Checkers in 2021-22. He announced his retirement from the sport in July 2025.
Early Life and Background
Zac Dalpe was born on November 1, 1989, in Paris, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in his hometown of Paris and developed his game through local minor hockey, suiting up for the Paris Wolfpack of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association’s Southern Counties League. The small-town setting of Paris, Ontario, gave him an early foundation in the sport and a community environment that supported his progression through the youth ranks.
As he advanced, Dalpe moved to the Brantford 99’ers AAA club in Western Ontario’s Pavilion League, where he played at progressively higher age categories. In 2004-05, he reached the AAA Minor Midget level with the 99’ers, marking him as a prospect to watch. Heading into his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft year, he measured 5 feet 5 inches and 115 pounds, a small frame that contributed to him going unselected in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection. He returned to play AAA Major Midget the following season, continuing to develop away from the major junior spotlight.
Path to Hockey
Following his Major Midget year, Dalpe signed with the Stratford Cullitons Junior B club of the Midwestern Ontario Hockey League for the 2006-07 campaign. The Stratford Cullitons offered him a competitive platform and helped him transition into a more structured, higher-tempo game. The experience paved the way for his next move, as he headed west to sign with the Penticton Vees Junior A club of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in 2007-08.
His time with the Penticton Vees proved to be the springboard for his professional trajectory. After that BCHL season, Dalpe was selected 26th overall in the 2008 OHL Priority Draft by the Plymouth Whalers, and that same year was taken 45th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Rather than report to Plymouth or jump directly to the Hurricanes organization, he accepted an NCAA scholarship at Ohio State University. He spent two seasons with the Buckeyes of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, refining his game at the collegiate level before making the jump to professional hockey in 2010.
Zac Dalpe Career
Early Career (2010-2013)
Dalpe made his NHL debut on October 7, 2010, after an impressive Carolina Hurricanes training camp in which he survived several rounds of cuts. He recorded an assist in that opening game for his first NHL point, signalling a smooth transition from the college game. On January 1, 2011, he scored his first NHL goal against Johan Hedberg of the New Jersey Devils, a notable milestone early in his pro career.
His tenure with the Hurricanes organization extended into the 2012-13 season. Prior to the start of the 2013-14 season, Dalpe, along with Jeremy Welsh, was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Kellan Tochkin and a fourth-round selection in the 2014 NHL Draft. The trade ended his initial NHL chapter and set up a stretch in which he bounced between several organizations.
Carolina Hurricanes Era (2010-2013)
During his time with the Carolina Hurricanes organization, Dalpe was assigned at points to the team’s AHL affiliates, including the Charlotte Checkers and the Albany River Rats. He appeared in 45 NHL games for the Hurricanes across his first three professional seasons, establishing himself as a depth centre who could contribute in a bottom-six role. His first NHL assist and his first NHL goal both came while wearing the Hurricanes sweater.
Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres Years (2013-2015)
Following the trade to the Vancouver Canucks, Dalpe spent the 2013-14 season within the organization, splitting time between the NHL club and the Utica Comets of the AHL. He then tested free agency for the first time, signing a one-year free agent contract with the Buffalo Sabres on July 13, 2014. His stay in Buffalo was brief, as the Sabres did not tender him a qualifying offer at the end of the campaign.
Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets Years (2015-2021)
On July 1, 2015, Dalpe signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild. He scored his first goal for the Wild on April 9, 2016, netting the club’s lone goal against Niklas Backstrom of the Calgary Flames. Dalpe made the Wild’s opening night roster for the 2016-17 season and produced three points in nine games before suffering a knee injury against the Dallas Stars on October 30, 2016, requiring surgery. After recovering, he was reassigned to the Iowa Wild, only to suffer a second knee injury.
On February 27, 2017, Dalpe was placed on waivers and claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, who immediately assigned him to their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. The Blue Jackets re-signed him to a two-year, two-way extension on June 9, 2017. He opened the 2017-18 season on the NHL roster before being returned to the Monsters after 12 games. On February 27, 2019, while leading the Cleveland Monsters in goals and points, he was signed to a two-year, two-way extension. He spent five seasons within the Blue Jackets organization, growing into a veteran AHL presence and leader.
Florida Panthers Era (2021-2025)
On July 30, 2021, Dalpe signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers as a free agent, returning to the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL. He was named team captain of the Checkers for the 2021-22 season, a sign of his standing within the locker room. He went on to earn a Stanley Cup ring with the Panthers, contributing to one of the most dramatic playoff runs in recent NHL history.
On April 28, 2023, Dalpe scored his first Stanley Cup playoff goal in Game 6 of the first-round series between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins, tying the game at 4-4. The Panthers went on to win 7-5, knotting the series at 3-3 before eliminating the Bruins in Game 7 in what became one of the greatest upsets in NHL history. Dalpe remained part of the Panthers organization through 2025, and on July 7, 2025, he announced his retirement from professional hockey.
Zac Dalpe Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available verified information about Zac Dalpe’s parents, siblings, and extended family background is limited. He was raised in Paris, Ontario, and came up through local minor hockey programs in the region, including the Paris Wolfpack and Brantford 99’ers.
Personal Life
Zac Dalpe has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye. Confirmed details about a spouse, partner, or children are not available in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Dalpe’s 2025 chapter was defined by a farewell rather than a chase for hardware. Having remained within the Florida Panthers organization in a depth and leadership role, he continued to be a trusted veteran presence inside the locker room. His most recent memorable on-ice moment remained his 2023 playoff goal against the Boston Bruins, a play that helped spark one of the great comebacks in NHL postseason history.
On July 7, 2025, Dalpe announced his retirement from professional hockey, bringing a close to a 15-year career that spanned six NHL franchises and several AHL affiliates. The decision marked the end of a journey that began in Paris, Ontario, and took him through the BCHL, NCAA, and NHL. His legacy is one of longevity, professionalism, and a knack for stepping up in big moments.