(Niagara Falls, ON) The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce that Zac Dalpe of the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) and Anthony Petruzzelli of the Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL) have been selected as the recipients of the PHPA Player Representative of the Year Awards for the 2022-23 season as voted by the PHPA Executive Committee and staff.

The PHPA Player Representative of the Year Awards was developed to recognize the outstanding effort put forth by PHPA Player Representatives throughout the season from both the American Hockey League and ECHL.  The Awards also serve as a platform to honor the significant contributions made to the PHPA by Founding Member Doug Messier and long-time PHPA Advisor, Jim Wiley who passed away in December, 2021.

Dalpe, who was selected as the recipient of the Doug Messier AHL Player Representative of the Year Award, is a veteran of 168 NHL games and nearly 500 AHL games over the past 13 seasons.  He has served as Charlotte’s PHPA Player Rep for the past two seasons.  Born in Paris, Ontario, Dalpe was immediately named Captain of the Checkers when he signed with the team in 2021.  Prior to that, he served as Captain of the Cleveland Monsters from 2019 to 2021.  Although Dalpe split time this season in the NHL with the Florida Panthers, he continued to serve as Player Rep on behalf of his Checkers teammates. 

“I have always been super interested in the work of the PHPA and how its operations ultimately help the players,” said Dalpe.  “This year I decided to involve myself and become a Rep and immerse into the day-to-day inquires.  I found it very intriguing and helpful to pass along information to the players on my team.  It’s a position where you are constantly learning and I am very thankful for the nominations. As an older player in the league I want to pass the information along to the next wave of players and hopefully try and grow the league as much as I can.” 

The recipient of the T. Jim Wiley ECHL Player Representative of the Year Award, Anthony Petruzzelli recently completed his first season as Player Rep for the Komets following the departure of long-time Rep Shawn Szydlowski.  Petruzzeli has served as Captain of the Komets for the past season and a half, and previously was an Assistant Captain while playing for the University of Vermont.  In 2021, the native of Federal Way, WA helped lead the Fort Wayne Komets to a Kelly Cup Championship.

“It is an honor to be recognized by fellow players and Members of the PHPA,” said Petruzzelli.  “I am happy to be a bridge between the players and PHPA, helping to make teammates aware of the opportunities and resources that are available to us while bringing the voice of the players to the league.”

“Both Zac Dalpe and Anthony Peruzzelli exhibited outstanding leadership qualities and responsiveness to staff and Executive Committee members on behalf of their teammates throughout the season, as was evidenced by their selection for this recognition,” said PHPA Executive Director, Larry Landon.  “I am truly grateful for the dedication, commitment, and leadership that they put forth into this important role.”

Both players were selected with the collective input from PHPA staff, Advisors, and Executive Committee members and were recognized by Landon at the 2023 PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives.