Dahlstrom began his playing career at
Minneapolis South High School, after which he went on to play professionally in the
Central Hockey League (CHL) with the
Minneapolis Millers. Following his second season with the Millers, Dahlstrom made his first attempt at becoming a
National Hockey League (NHL) player when he was invited to
Boston Bruins training camp. He failed to make the team. He returned to the Millers and had his best season with the team, scoring 28 points in 43 games. Following his third year with Minneapolis he joined the
St. Paul Saints and improved his point total to 36, playing 44 games. At season's end he was named a Second Team CHL All-Star. Dahlstrom attended the Hawks training camp in 1936 but did not make the team. That season Chicago finished with a 14–25–9 recorded, but still managed to earn a playoff berth, finishing two points ahead of the
Detroit Red Wings in the
American Division. In the first round of the playoffs the Black Hawks defeated the
Montreal Canadiens in a three game series 2–1. The second round featured the Black Hawks facing off against the
New York Americans. After losing the opening game, Chicago faced elimination as game two went into double
overtime tied 0–0. Then at the 13:01 mark of the second overtime Dahlstrom scored, giving Chicago the win. The Black Hawks went on to win the following game, advancing to the
Stanley Cup Final. Chicago took a 2–1 series lead. Over the next three seasons he averaged 25 points in 44 games. Entering the
1940–41 playoffs the Black Hawks had not won a playoff round since their Stanley Cup victory. Chicago and Montreal played in the first round with the teams splitting the first two games of the series. The third game decided the series; in that game Dahlstrom scored two goals, helping Chicago to the 3–2 victory. The season proved to be Dahlstrom's most successful as he set career highs in games played, goals, assists, and points. The success did not last as he tied his career low in points during the
1944–45 season. He never played a game for Seattle as he chose to retire following the 1944–45 season. On December 19, 1998 Dahlstrom died at age 86. ==Career statistics==