NY Islanders: Michael Dal Colle finds a new home for the 2023-24 season

Since being drafted fifth overall in 2015 by the NY Islanders, Michael Dal Colle has struggled to find his groove in professional hockey. Dal Colle spent most of his career in North America with Bridgeport, only appearing in 112 regular season games with the Isles, accumulating 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists).

After not being offered an NHL contract, Dal Colle took his game overseas, where he signed for TPS Turku of Liiga in Finland. MDC finished the season as the teams leading foreign point producer, totaling four goals and 15 assists in 36 games.

After just one season in Finland, Dal Colle has decided to take his game elsewhere, signing for the Iserlohn Roosters of DEL in Germany. Iserlohn failed to make the playoffs last season, finishing 13th in a 15-team league.

"Michael didn't quite live up to the high expectations that were placed in him after the draft at the beginning of his pro career and has often played in roles in North America where his scoring touch didn't fully develop," said Iselohn's sporting director Christian Hommel, as translated from the team's website. "It's a testament to his attitude and fighting spirit that he still spent a total of seven years organizing with the Islanders and played in over 100 NHL games. Coupled with his great potential, this makes him a very interesting player who fits perfectly into the profile we were looking for."

The German league is one of Europe's mid-tier leagues and has been a home for multiple NHL players when their time in North America comes to an end. Dal Colle looks to take this opportunity as he still searches for his niche in European hockey.

“I've worked with great players and coaches during my time organizing the Islanders and learned a lot," says Dal Colle, translated through the team's website. "I see myself as a two-way striker, but of course, I would also like to contribute a certain amount to the scoring. The transition to going to Europe took a while last season. But now I'm very happy to have the opportunity to play in a top European league with the Roosters in the coming season."

Dal Colle will make his debut on Sept. 15, as Iserlohn opens the season against Frankfurt Lowen.