by Nick Niedzielski | AHL On The Beat
Zac Dalpe again Trevor Carrick established themselves as mainstays in the Charlotte hockey world, reigning as number one and number two in the Checkers franchise record book for games played, respectively.
But even though they've been in the Queen City for a long time, the two have never crossed paths – until this season.
“First of all, it's great to have him on this side instead of the other side,” said Dalpe.
“It's great to be on the same side as him,” echoed Carrick.
Although the two had never skated together before this season, there was mutual admiration between the two.
“I've played with him for a long time,” said Dalpe. “Me too George (Kinnearthe head coach of Checkers) spoke, Carrick can play in the 70's, 80's, 90's and today. The way he is as a player, he is very flexible.”
“I just missed him my first year here in Charlotte,” said Carrick, who joined the Checkers as a rookie in 2014-15. “You hear good things about this guy and you can tell right away.”
Dalpe is in his second spell with the Checkers; spent his first three pro seasons in Charlotte from 2010 to 2013, then returned in 2021-22 and served as
team captain since.
As the veteran begins his 15th full season, his enthusiasm hasn't cooled one bit.
“He still enjoys playing every year, he still enjoys seeing the program being done,” said Dalpe. “Especially being an older guy now and dealing with young kids who don't have it. It is very good.”
Since leaving Charlotte in 2013, Dalpe has carved out a career for himself, logging more than 700 games between the AHL and NHL. But going back to where it all started – and bringing his family with him – gave the position an added advantage.
“Coming back here as a senior was special,” Dalpe said. “Seeing my kids in the mirror, I was one of those kids, and now you come back and you've got yours and you see them on their 'Dad' jerseys with your number on it… It's so special.”
Like Dalpe before him, the Queen City continued to call on Carrick after his departure following the club's Calder Cup title in 2019.
“I always had hope but I never thought about it,” Carrick said back to Charlotte. “We left on a very high note and I thought it would be like that. But as you bounce around you always wish you could come back – you love it so much and have so many great memories. And then when you get the call, it's very exciting, to say the least.”
A fan favorite since his rookie campaign, Carrick is excited to be back under the lights of Bojangles Coliseum.
“It feels good to be back,” he said. “It's nice to see familiar faces.”
As they meet as teammates for the first time, a key attribute connects Carrick and Dalpe – an unrelenting desire to win. For Dalpe, it's about looking ahead to what has been a long, hard work and aiming to reach the top.
“Father's time is coming to an end here at some point,” said Dalpe. “Obviously I haven't played for so long without wanting to win something. So it would be good
give something back to Charlotte.”
For Carrick, it's about recapturing the feeling he had lifting the trophy half a decade ago.
“I've jumped five years ago,” said Carrick. “I have played in difficult hockey teams. I was playing a lot of meaningless hockey games in February and January. I want to get back to that winning spirit. I've learned a lot over the past few years. It would be sad if you're not in the playoffs and you're playing meaningless hockey with 20 or 30 games left. I'm looking forward to getting back into the winning tradition.”
The bond between two of Charlotte's most prominent players has been strengthened quickly, and the organization will reap the rewards that this partnership can bring both on the ice and in the room.
“Knowing [Carrick] In my opinion, he's a really good guy,” said Dalpe. “He has a lot of stories and an infectious laugh and a great personality.
I have enjoyed being with him and maybe my wife is tired of talking about him.”
“[Dalpe’s] you've been around a long time, you get it,” said Carrick. “He is a professional and a pleasure to be around. I look forward to wearing the Checkers logo with him this year.”
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