Recognizing hometown hockey hero Zac Dalpe

By Casandra Turnbull

Hometown hockey hero Zac Dalpe will be honoured later this year with a personalized banner that will be raised at the Brant Sports Complex Members of the Brant Sports Hall of Fame Committee heard of the plan during a recent meeting this month.

Tyler Pelton, who is also no stranger to the sport, is working with county staffer Matt Plumstead to develop the idea. Pelton said the thought came to him this past January, long before Zac scored his first NHL playoff goal against The Boston Bruins, in which he dedicated it to his hometown, sending a wave of support throughout Paris for Dalpe, despite playing for the team that knocked the Maple Leafs out of the Stanley Cup run

“He’s so humble, he wasn’t sure about it,” said Pelton, who’s working with Zac and the rest of the Dalpe family to create the banner Pelton said it’s important to idolize local hockey heroes who make it to the NHL because it gives minor hockey players the drive and ambition to follow in “Zac played a lot of his minor hockey right in Paris, which I tell all the kids I coach to give them something to dream for,” said Pelton, adding that making it to the NHL is so rare The fact that only a handful of Parisians have accomplished the dream is even more motivation for Pelton to make sure Zac’s successes are appropriately recognized. (Learn more about the Dalpe family and their connection to Paris in this Paris Past Column)

His perseverance over the last 14 years is another notable reason for the project “He’s never stopped fighting to play at the highest level.” Right now, Zac’s Carolina Hurricanes jersey is hanging in the Brant Sports Complex lobby, but it’s mostly visible if you’re looking for it, says Pelton “I wanted something a little more prominent When we win our championships, we show off our banners on the wall As a community we should be proud of Zac for a lot of things ”

The plan is still in the design concept stages Pelton will continue to work with Zac, his brothers Phil and Ben and their father Phil to create the specific design of the banner. Pelton and Plumstead hope to raise the flag this fall in a special ceremony with Zac in attendance if he’s available. Dalpe grew up in Paris and played for the Paris Wolfpack before playing for the Brantford 99’ers AAAclub

He played in the OHL and was drafted with the Stratford Cullitons Junior B club before signing with the British Columbia Hockey League’s Penticton Vees Junior A Club in 2007/2008 Later in 2008, he was selected by the Hurricanes in the 2nd round, 45th overall of the NHL Entry Draft Despite the draft he didn’t play the first year, he accepted a NCAA scholarship at Ohio State University and played for the Buckeyes before hitting the ice as a professional hockey player Dalpe has played with the Carolina Hurricanes, the Vancouver Canucks, the Buffalo Sabres, the Minnesota Wild the Columbus Blue Jackets and currently the Florida Panthers.

Below, Zac Dalpe celebrates his first NHL playoff goal in round one as the Florida Panthers faced the Boston Bruins.

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