Former Penticton Vees forward Zac Dalpe has been named to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's First All-Star Team and nominated for its Player of the Year award after tying for the conference lead with a 17-goal campaign. 

A year after earning CCHA All-Rookie honours as a freshman, the Carolina Huricanes second round pick had a terrific second season at Ohio State. Dalpe's 17 goals and 34 points during the regular season were good enough for second in conference scoring. In the process, he became the first Buckeye to be named to the All-CCHA First Team since All-American R.J. Umberger in 2003.

Dalpe is up against Miami sophomore goaltender Cody Reichard and Erik Gustafsson, a junior defenseman from Northern Michigan, for the CCHA Player of the Year award.

The Paris, Ontario native suited up in the BCHL during his final season of junior hockey in 2007/08. In 46 games, he contributed with 27 goals and 36 assists for the Vees, who captured the Interior Conference with a 41-15-2-2 record. With Dalpe, Penticton swept the Nanaimo Clippers to win the Fred Page Cup that year. 

Dalpe, who was named the CCHA's Player of the Month in January, has had one of the better sophomore years in college hockey. He is the only second-year skater ever to earn a spot on the conference's First Team and has helped Ohio State to a postseason berth.

The announcement comes only days following news that two other Vees grads -- forward Curtis McKenzie and defenceman Devon Krogh -- were recognized with honourable mentions for the CCHA's All-Rookie Team after outstanding freshman seasons.

The Buckeyes face No.1-ranked Miami in the CCHA quarterfinals this weekend, with the best-of-three series winner advancing to the CCHA Championships in Detroit.