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Buffalo Sabres Newcomers: Zac Dalpe

By Melissa Kania

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Center Zac Dalpe is one of several new faces that Buffalo Sabres fans will see at training camp over the next few weeks. The 24-year-old Paris, Ontario native signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres back in mid-July and will join the NHL squad for his first training camp in the blue and gold over the coming days.

Prior to his NHL days, Dalpe played for the Penticton Vees of the BCHL. He had 63 points in 46 games during the 2007-08 season and committed to Ohio State University after that. The 2007-08 season was a big one for Dalpe; that year, he also participated in the World Junior A Challenge and was named MVP honors with Canada West.

Perhaps the biggest honor of that year, however, was when Dalpe was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes with the 45th overall selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

He retained his college commitment and would go on to play for two seasons with Ohio State University at the CCHA level. He had 25 points (13-12) in 37 games as a freshman, then had 45 points (21-24) in 39 games during his sophomore season. That would be the end of his college hockey career, as Dalpe would then make his way to the AHL and NHL from there.

He began his AHL career with the Albany River Rats in the 2009-10 season, appearing in 17 games (regular season and playoffs) with the team.

Dalpe then began his transition to the NHL and would spend the next few seasons split between the AHL and NHL.

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He made his NHL debut on October 7, 2010 in a game against the Minnesota Wild, notching an assist in the game. That season would see Dalpe appear in 15 NHL games while spending the majority of time with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.

In his first full AHL season, Dalpe had 23 goals and 34 assists for 57 points in 61 regular season games. His stellar performance earned him AHL All-Rookie Honors that season. He added an additional 13 points in 16 playoff games, and also had four points in 15 NHL games with the Hurricanes.

Between 2011 and 2013, Dalpe appeared in 26 NHL games with the Hurricanes. He had two goals and four assists in that time.

His impact was more heavily felt at the AHL level, where he had 74 points in 110 games over the two seasons.

But that was all for Dalpe’s time with the Hurricanes organization. Along with Jeremy Welsh, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in September 2013 in exchange for Kellan Tochkin and a fourth-round draft pick.

The Canucks organization really gave Dalpe a chance at the NHL level last season. He appeared in 55 games with Vancouver, notching four goals and three assists. He also had three assists in six games with the AHL’s Utica Comets.

Dalpe hit free agency this summer and signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Buffalo Sabres.

Playing in Buffalo would mean Dalpe would return fairly close to home – Paris, Ontario is just about 93 miles away. Even Rochester, if he is delegated to the Amerks, is roughly 164 miles from home — the closest he’s played in quite some time.

For now, it seems likely that Dalpe will end up in the AHL, at least to start the season. But he’ll bring some welcome forward depth to the Buffalo Sabres organization and could easily earn a call-up when the time comes.

You can follow one of the newest members of the Buffalo Sabres organization on Twitter here. Also check out some of these videos to “get to know” one of the newest members of the Buffalo Sabres organization a little bit better:

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