Rick DiPietro

Lore & Background

DiPietro was drafted first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2000 NHL entry draft, becoming the second goaltender in history selected first overall. He signed a 15-year, $67.5 million contract with the Islanders in 2006, but a string of injuries beginning in 2008 limited him to 50 NHL appearances over the next five seasons, leading to a contract buyout on July 2, 2013. He retired after being released by the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL on November 26, 2013.

In Their Own Story

The arena hummed with the low, electric buzz of a Tuesday night in early March. The scoreboard read Columbus 2, visitor 2, and the clock had just ticked under four minutes in the third. DiPietro stood in his crease, stick planted, breathing hard, the cold air of the rink cutting through the sweat on his brow. The opposing winger wound up, the puck a white blur off the blade. DiPietro dropped—low, so low his shoulder kissed the ice—his glove hand snapping up in a reflex that seemed to come from somewhere deeper than thought. The puck kissed the pad, bounced harmlessly wide. The crowd erupted. He skated back to his feet, turned, and gave a single, sharp nod to the bench. No celebration. Just the quiet, coiled readiness of a man who knew the next shot was already coming.

Reader's Guide

DiPietro played his entire NHL career with the New York Islanders, never for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was not drafted in 2002, nor was he traded to the New York Rangers.

Did You Know?

• DiPietro was the second goaltender in NHL history selected first overall in an entry draft.
• He broke an Islanders franchise record with 56 saves in a 2–1 shootout loss to the New York Rangers on March 5, 2007.
• DiPietro was selected to the 2008 NHL All-Star Game as a reserve and later named starter after Martin Brodeur dropped out.