Dal Colle Breaking Out in Bridgeport

Michael Dal Colle is turning heads with his hot start to the season.
Dal Colle, the fifth-overall pick in the 2014 draft, leads the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in goals (7) and is tied with fellow 2014 first-round pick Josh Ho-Sang for the team lead in points (14). Pull back a little further and Dal Colle is tied for eighth in AHL scoring with 14 points in 11 games. His seven goals has him tied for seventh in the league.

"I knew this was a big year for me, my third year and a contract year. Personally, I had set some goals and me and Josh really gained some chemistry and we're playing well," Dal Colle said. "Obviously my goal is to play in the NHL and I'm working on all aspects of my game, day in and day out, and it's been working so far."
Dal Colle has scored in three straight games (four goals during that span) and also has points in eight of his 11 games this season, Dal Colle's best start to a season since he arrived in Bridgeport. He didn't reach the 14-point mark until Christmas in each of the past two seasons. This year he's already cleared that hurdle a few weeks before Thanksgiving.

So what's going right for 6'2, 198 lbs. winger? He credits making gains in the gym over the summer, taking advantage of a long offseason for the Sound Tigers.
"Unfortunately, last year was a long offseason, but on the bright side I had more time in the gym," Dal Colle said. "I put on some muscle and strength and got on the ice earlier than usual. It was a big offseason coming into camp with a new coaching staff. I've felt good and had some success early on, hopefully we can keep that up."
Brent Thompson, the Sound Tigers Head Coach, said he's seen breakthroughs in almost all aspects of Dal Colle's game, both from a physical and mental perspective.
"It's a combination of both," Thompson said. "He's come in with a great attitude, but he's always had a great attitude, he's always worked hard, but he's taken it to another level. His confidence is there and there's more communication. He's coming out of his shell a bit, he talks a bit more on the bench and in the locker room. It's good to see him maturing and evolving."

THE BRIDGEPORT REPORT: WEEK 5
Thompson also sees some natural chemistry with Ho-Sang, Dal Colle's roommate, who has 10 points (1G, 9A) in his past four games, including a four-assist game last Sunday vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Ho-Sang echoed that thought.
"Mike and I have known each other for a long time and we spend a lot of time together," Ho-Sang said. "I think our relationship off the ice really helps us feed off each other when it comes to games. I know what he likes, and he knows what I do, so it's pretty easy to play with him. He's such a smart hockey player anyway and it's really showing right now."
Connor Jones rounds out the line and adds grit between the two skilled forwards. Dal Colle views Jones and Ho-Sang as just as integral part of his early-season success as the hours put in over the summer.
"Just good chemistry with my line-mates," Dal Colle said. "Jones has been playing great for us and really great on faceoffs. Really just a great two-way center. Josh has really been moving his feet and creating a lot of offense for us, we've been jelling quick."
Dal Colle is in the final year of his entry-level deal with the Islanders and is still motivated by getting to and sticking in the NHL. He got a taste last season, playing four games with the Islanders in January and has used that as a learning experience.

"My first NHL game at MSG was one of the best experiences of my life," Dal Colle said. "It was a very exciting time and it just makes you hungry, you want to get back there. That's your goal, your goal is to play in the NHL as a kid. I got a taste and hopefully can get there full time soon."
Dal Colle certainly is doing what he can to try and earn that call again this season. While it took a little longer than Dal Colle maybe would have liked, Thompson reminded reporters that the pace of development is different for every player, but he's happy to see things really coming around for Dal Colle.
"He's taken great strides and it's his third year. Sometimes it's not a sprint to get there," Thompson said. "You won't always be ready in your first or second year, sometimes it takes three years, four years. DC's just on a good path right now."