Michael DiPietro

Lore & Background

DiPietro began playing hockey as a defenceman until age nine, when he switched to goaltender after watching his step-brother play the position. He played with the Sun County Panthers Minor Midget AAA team before being drafted by the Windsor Spitfires in the 2015 OHL Draft. In his rookie OHL season, he posted a 16–8–1 record with a .912 save percentage and won the F. W. 'Dinty' Moore Trophy as the rookie goaltender with the best goals-against average, becoming the first Spitfires player to win the award. He was also named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team.

In his sophomore year, DiPietro helped the Spitfires win the Memorial Cup with a .932 save percentage, earning the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy and a spot on the Memorial Cup All-Star Team. After being drafted by the Canucks, he returned to the Spitfires for the 2017–18 season and was named OHL Goaltender of the Year. He later set the Spitfires franchise record for most wins (79) before being traded to the Ottawa 67's. With the 67's, he shared the Dave Pinkney Trophy for fewest goals against and went 13–0 in the playoffs before an injury in the OHL finals.

DiPietro made his NHL debut on February 11, 2019, in a 7–2 loss to the San Jose Sharks, becoming the second youngest Canucks goaltender in franchise history. He struggled to find traction with the Canucks organization and submitted a trade request. On October 27, 2022, he was traded to the Boston Bruins along with prospect Jonathan Myrenberg in exchange for Jack Studnicka. During the 2024–25 season with the Providence Bruins, he had a standout year, finishing second in the AHL in wins and save percentage, and third in goals-against average, earning multiple awards including the Les Cunningham Award as AHL MVP.

Reader's Guide

Michael DiPietro's significance lies in his journey from a highly decorated junior career to professional success, particularly his dominant 2024–25 AHL season. His Memorial Cup victory with the Windsor Spitfires and OHL Goaltender of the Year award established him as a top prospect. Despite limited NHL opportunities with the Vancouver Canucks, his trade to the Boston Bruins revitalized his career. In the AHL, he won the Aldege 'Baz' Bastien Memorial Award as goaltender of the year, the Les Cunningham Award as league MVP, and the inaugural Doug Messier Award as the most outstanding AHL player voted by the PHPA. His performance with the Providence Bruins demonstrated his resilience and ability to perform at a high level, making him a notable figure in the Bruins organization. DiPietro also represented Canada internationally, winning a gold medal at the 2021 IIHF World Championship and playing in the 2022 Spengler Cup. His career illustrates the path of a goaltender who overcame organizational challenges to achieve recognition at the minor league level.

Did You Know?

• He set the Windsor Spitfires franchise record for most wins (79) on October 28, 2018.
• DiPietro is not related to former NHL players Paul DiPietro or Rick DiPietro.
• He models his game after New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick.