After bouncing around the AHL and different National Hockey League teams over the last couple years, former Ohio State hockey player Zac Dalpe has found a spot where he started, making the final cuts for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The 27-year-old center last played in the NHL for the Minnesota Wild, appearing in nine games last fall before suffering a knee injury and being assigned to the AHL upon return. He was later claimed by the Blue Jackets and spent the rest of the season playing for the club's AHL affiliate Cleveland Monsters.
In making the roster, Dalpe had to beat out former Michigan hockey player Tyler Motte. Motte was acquired over the summer as a piece of the Artemi Panarin-Brandon Saad deal, and had been pushing for a spot during training camp alike Dalpe.
Motte was assigned to the Monsters to correspond with Dalpe earning the roster spot. Dalpe had two goals and 17 shots in five preseason games for the Jackets. He'll wear number 36.
In his two years at Ohio State, Dalpe accumulated 70 points (34-36) in 76 career games. He led the Buckeyes in goals with 21 during his final season in Columbus in 2009-10.
