Music: {allcanada} Islanders prospect Dal Colle talks Memorial Cup

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

{allcanada} Islanders prospect Dal Colle talks Memorial Cup

New York Islanders prospect Michael Dal Colle joined NHL Live to discuss competing in the 2015 Memorial Cup and his Oshawa Generals place in the championship game Sunday.

The Generals, champions of the Ontario Hockey League, earned a spot in the finals with a 2-1 win Tuesday against the Michael Dal Colle. They were the only team to finish round-robin play 3-0-0, and will play for their fifth Memorial Cup title and first since 1990.

"I think we had a very good playoff run," Dal Colle said. "We played teams like North Bay and Erie, and getting through that and winning the OHL was a big accomplishment. We turned our minds to the Memorial Cup right away and I think that helped us in the round robin."

Dal Calle and Oshawa defeated Connor McDavid, the expected top pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, and Erie in the OHL Finals.

"We found a way to shut down their top guys, specifically McDavid at home," Dal Colle said. "It was a full team effort. When you're up against a player of that caliber it takes the whole team to be able to shut a guy like that down."

Selected by the Islanders with the fifth pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, Dal Colle's five points (two goals, three assists) are tied for the tournament lead. He led Oshawa in scoring during the regular season with 42 goals and 93 points, and had eight goals and 31 points in 21 OHL playoff games. He attended his first professional camp with the Islanders in 2014 and hopes to play in the NHL as soon as possible.

"Obviously it's a huge step from junior," Dal Colle said. "You realize quick that these are men competing for their jobs. Being able to skate with guys like John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, you really learn a lot not only on the ice but off the ice. I'm very happy I was drafted by New York and hopefully I can make the roster soon."