Former NY Islanders first round pick Michael Dal Colle begins a new chapter in his hockey career

When the NY Islanders selected Michael Dal Colle with the fifth overall pick in 2014, a huge weight was placed on the young player's shoulders. A team that was consistently finishing near the bottom of the standings, the Islanders eyed Dal Colle as one of the prospects to help turn things around.

Things certainly haven’t panned out the way Dal Colle or the Islanders had hoped, and now, Dal Colle has signed a deal to continue his hockey career with Milano Hockey Club in Italy.

Dal Colle played 112 career games with the Islanders across five seasons, with his last game coming in 2021. A gifted goal scorer during his career in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals and Kingston Frontenacs, he struggled to translate that skill to the professional ranks, totaling just eight goals in his NHL career.

With the Islanders electing not to re-sign the player, Dal Colle has since played one season in Finland, two in Germany, and another in the KHL before his move to Milano.

“My game’s changed a lot since I was in juniors,” Dal Colle said in an interview with Tiia Honkamaa of Jatkoaika after signing with TPS in 2022. “Back then, I was a very offensive goal scorer who was creating plays. Once I turned pro at 20, the game kind of switched as I had to come up with a bit of a niche to my game and a little bit more responsible two-way guy,” Dal Colle said. “Eventually, when I got to the NHL level, I was doing more of a defensive role. I’ve played different roles my whole career.”

Though Dal Colle didn’t pan out with the Islanders, it’s great to see him continuing with his hockey career.

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